Alzheimer's Disease
Original Editors - Students from Bellarmine University's Pathophysiology of Complex Patient Problems project.
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Definition/Description[edit | edit source]
Alzheimer's Disease is characterized by cortical atrophy and loss of neurons, particularly in the parietal and temporal lobes. Also with loss of brain mass there is an enlargement of the ventricals of the brain.2 The changes in the brain tissue slowly cause changes in the person. Often it results in Alzheimer's dementia, however some people progress differently.
Prevalence[edit | edit source]
Approximately 4 - 4.5 million people have Alzheimer's Disease in the United States and about 8 million affected around the world. It is expected that by 2050 that number will have increased almost three fold to around 13.2 million. The known prevalence is 6% in people over the age of 65, 20% in people over the age of 80, and more than 95% in those 95 years of age.1
Characteristics/Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
The progression of Alzheimer's Disease is continuous and generally does not fluctuate or improve. Often times the early symptoms can be missed or overlooked because they can be misinterpreted as signs of the natural aging process.
Stages of Alzheimer's Disease2
Stage 1
- memory loss
- lack of spontaneity
- subtle personality changes
- disorientation to time and date
Stage 2
- impaired cognition and abstract thinking
- restlessness and agitation
- wandering, "sundown syndrome"
- inability to carry out activities of daily living
- impaired judgment
- inappropriate social behavior
- lack of insight, abstract thinking
- repetitive behavior
- voracious appetite
Stage 3
- emaciation, indifference to food
- inability to communicate
- urinary and fecal incontinence
- seizures
Associated Co-morbidities[edit | edit source]
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Medications[edit | edit source]
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Diagnostic Tests/Lab Tests/Lab Values[edit | edit source]
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Causes[edit | edit source]
There is no know cause of Alzheimer's Disease.
Systemic Involvement[edit | edit source]
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Medical Management (current best evidence)[edit | edit source]
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Physical Therapy Management (current best evidence)[edit | edit source]
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Alternative/Holistic Management (current best evidence)[edit | edit source]
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Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
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Case Reports[edit | edit source]
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Resources
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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
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1. Goodman C, Fuller K. Pathology Implications for the Physical Therapist. St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.
2. Porth C. Pathopysiology Concepts of Altered Health States. Philadelphia PA: Lippincott & Wilkins; 2005.
3. Goodman C, Snyder T. Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists Screening for Referal. St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.
4. Alzheimer's Association. 2010. Available at: http://www.alz.org/index.asp . Accessed March 1, 2010.
5. Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet. U.S. National Institutes of Health National Institute on Aging. 2010. Available at: http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/adfact.htm . Accessed March 1, 2010.
