Alzheimer disease is a progressive disease of the human brain that slowly leads to dementia. At some point in life, due to still unknown causes, the human brain starts to accumulate toxic proteins which seem to play a big role to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
It is important to know that this process of accumulating toxic proteins can lay latent for 15-20 years before dementia become noticeable.
The most common signs of Alzheimer disease are a gradual loss of memory, loss of common sense and ability to function in everyday life.
This severe disease slowly progresses from mild difficulties that don’t interfere with daily living, to severe memory loss when the people lose awareness of their surroundings, start confusing family members and forget people entirely.
The cure is still not found, but a new research gives a hope for optimistic results for the near future.
A form of deep brain stimulation (DBS) with a “brain pacemaker” has now been put on trial to see if it could help manage this severe disease.
The “brain pacemaker” is a surgically implanted set of tiny electrodes that lightly zap the frontal lobes of the brain.
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center recently carried out an extremely small study to see whether the device can slow the decline of problem-solving and decision-making skills in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Even though this is a small study the results are optimistic which give a new hope for slowing progression in this disease (video below).
An expert in this area (Dr. Barry Reisberg of New York University) breaks the progression of Alzheimer’s disease into seven stages. This framework of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease can help average people to understand developing of this disease and make the difference.
SEVEN STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Stage 1: Normal behavior – In the human behavior are not present memory problems or other alarming symptoms of dementia.
Stage 2: Very Mild Decline – In this stage, minor memory problem may be noticeable like lose things around the house, although not to the point where the memory loss can easily be distinguished from normal age-related memory loss. The person will still do well and the disease is unlikely to be detected by physicians or loved ones.
Stage 3: Mild Decline – At this stage, the friends and family members of the patient may begin to notice memory and cognitive problems. Physicians will be able to detect impaired cognitive function with cognitive tests. Patients in stage 3 will have difficulty in many areas including:
- finding the right word during conversations
- remembering names of new acquaintances
- planning and organizing
People may also frequently lose valuables personal things.
Stage 4: Moderate Decline – Patients with stage four Alzheimer’s disease:
- Have difficulty with simple arithmetic
- May forget details about their life histories
- Have poor short-term memory (may not recall what they ate for breakfast, for example)
- Inability to manage finance and pay bills
Stage 5: Moderately Severe Decline – Patients begin to need help with many days to day activities. People in stage five of the disease may experience:
- Significant confusion
- Inability to recall simple details about themselves such as their own phone number
- Difficulty dressing appropriately
On the other hand, patients in stage five maintain a little of functionality. They typically can still bathe and toilet independently. They also usually still know their family members and some detail about their childhood and youth.
Stage 6: Severe Decline – Patients in this stage need constant supervision and frequently require professional care. Symptoms include:
- Confusion or unawareness of environment and surroundings
- Major personality changes and potential behavior problems
- The need for assistance with activities of daily living such as toileting and bathing
- Inability to recognize faces except for closest friends and relatives
- Inability to remember most details of personal history
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
- Wandering
Stages 7: Very Severe Decline – This is the final stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Patients lose the ability to communicate and respond to their environment. While they may still be able to give words and phrases, they have no insight into their condition and need assistance with all activities of daily living. Patients may lose their ability to swallow.
Just like any other disease, early detection is key to receiving treatment, so knowing the stages is extremely beneficial.
