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Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in western
countries. Approximately 10% of all persons over the age of 70 have significant
memory loss; in more than half the cause is AD. AD is a
progressive dementia
(that is the dementia keeps getting worse).
In the early stages of the disease, the memory loss may go unrecognized
or may be ascribed to benign forgetfulness. Slowly the cognitive problems
begin to interfere with daily activities, such as keeping track of finances,
following instructions on the job, driving, shopping, and housekeeping.
Some patients are unaware of these difficulties (agnosognosia), and others
have considerable insight, resulting in frustration and anxiety. These major
differences in insight have no clear explanation.
The most important risk factors for AD are old age and a positive
family history. The frequency of AD increases with each decade of adult
life to reach 20 to 40% of the population over the age of 85. A positive
family history of dementia suggests a genetic cause of AD.
Pathophysiology
AD is characterized in the brain by abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques)
and tangled bundles of fibers (neurofibrillary tangles) composed of
misplaced proteins. Three genes have been discovered that cause early
onset (familial) AD. Other genetic mutations that cause excessive
accumulation of amyloid protein are associated with age-related
(sporadic).
Clinical suspicion
A progressive dementia that presents without sensorimotor affection in
patients >70 years old. President Ronald Reagan is a famous example.
- Neat appearance, social amenities preserved until late (Ronald Reagan
appearance)
- Personality changes + affective shallowness
- Disoriented due to loss of spatial or event memory loss
- Language defects
- Little insight (although some patients have insight)
Diagnosis
A Mini-mental status examination. If the mini-mental
status examination scores normal in patients presenting with intellectual
deficits a formal neuropsychological evaluation conducted by a neuropsychologist
should be performed.
Parietal hypometabolism shown on PET or parietal hypoperfusion shown
on SPECT or PET support the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
Treatment
The management of Alzheimer's disease is difficult and frustrating, because
there is no specific treatment and no way to slow the progression of the
disease. The primary focus is on long-term amelioration
of associated behavioral and neurologic problems. For some people
(approximately 10 to 20%) in the early or middle stages of AD,
medication such as tacrine (Cognex) may alleviate some cognitive
symptoms. Donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Reminyl)
may keep some symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time. A fifth
drug, memantine (Namenda), was recently approved for use in the United
States. Combining memantine with other AD drugs may be more effective
than any single therapy. One controlled clinical trial found that
patients receiving donepezil plus memantine had better cognition and
other functions than patients receiving donepezil alone. Also, other
medications may help control behavioral symptoms such as sleeplessness,
agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression.
Haloperidol is useful in relieving agitation later in the course of the
disease.
Prognosis
AD is a progressive disease, but its course can vary from 5 to 20
years. The most common cause of death in AD patients is infection.
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