11 March 2019 Author : Sofia Nunes Oliveira Alzheimer’s dementia is a degenerative neurological disease of unknown cause, in which accumulation of toxic substances in the brain leads to the progressive death of neuron cells. Who can develop Alzheimer’s and what are the risk factors? One of the most important risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease is age . Nonetheless, there are vascular risk factors that also increase the probability of developing the disease and must be treated, regardless of the patient’s age: High blood pressure; Dyslipidaemia; Smoking; Obesity; Diabetes. The disease is rare under the age of 60 (fewer than 2% of patients) and very common over the age of 85 (around 50%). There are rare genetic forms and genetic factors that increase the risk , though they do not necessarily mean the individual will develop the disease. We are often asked, “My father has Alzheimer’s. What’s my risk?” If the father developed Alzheimer’s at the age of 50 , the risk of getting the disease is high , as much as 50% . However, if the father developed Alzheimer’s after the age of 70, although the risk is higher than in the rest of the population, it is still low . What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease? The first symptom is generally short-term memory loss . The patient may: Forget everyday things; Make serious mistakes (leave a door open, the stove lit, a tap on, etc) Although the patient may be aware something is wrong with their memory, they do not realise the severity of the problem . As their forgetfulness is more than mere distraction, they are usually unable to reconstitute mistakes . Old memories usually remain intact in the early stages of the disease. Other early symptoms that may hinder a diagnosis, since they can be confused with psychiatric diseases (e.g. depression), are: Apathy; Lack of initiative. The first sign may occur during a medical condition or a change in the patient’s routines and is reflected in confusion , agitation and disorientation in time and space. Other cognitive deficits appear later, such as: Changes in language; Changes in the ability for planning and abstraction; Difficulty doing arithmetic; Loss of spatial orientation. How is Alzheimer’s diagnosed? Today it is possible to make a diagnosis in the very early stages , when the patient still only has memory problems . The diagnosis must be as accurate as possible, regardless of the patient’s age, not only because there are potentially treatable dementias, but also in order to adapt the treatment and predict progression and the family risk. One of the most important areas of research of this disease is early diagnosis . Researchers look for “ biomarkers ”, i.e. data that make it possible to deliver a diagnosis before the disease manifests itself fully. It is also possible to conduct tests at memory and neurology appointments in order to rule out other diseases that may be mistaken for Alzheimer’s dementia, but which are treatable. How is Alzheimer’s treated? As yet, there is no cure for de Alzheimer’s disease. Nonetheless, there are a number of treatments that improve some of the symptoms, effectively change the disease’s expression and delay the process of deterioration and loss of independence. Available studies have shown that physical and mental exercise helps improve cognitive reserve. Active people are less likely to have dementia than less active people of the same age. Are there any preventive measures for Alzheimer’s? There is currently no medication available on the market that can prevent this disease, although research in the area has been very promising. Did you know that: Age is the main risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease; This form of dementia is rare under the age of 60; The first symptom of the disease is usually short-term memory loss; There is still no cure, but there are treatments that can delay the advance of the disease; Physical and mental exercise helps to improve cognitive reserve; More active people are less likely to have dementia. Meet the neurology team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
