Alzheimer's Disease and Prevention by Joseph Cain

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

5j64ddx2kn — 2025-04-20 19:16:51 UTC

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological condition. Its symptoms are damage to the connections between neurons, especially in areas of the brain responsible for memory, like the hippocampus and the Entorhinal cortex. Common symptoms are memory loss, difficulty speaking and remembering words, and difficulty with problem-solving. Symptoms get worse as the disease progresses.

How does Alzheimer's Disease Affect the Brain?

5j64ddx2kn — 2025-04-20 19:17:44 UTC

Alzheimer's disease affects the brain by disrupting the microtubules in neurons through the buildup of a normally beneficial material called tau (normally used in the stabilization of the microtubules), causing neurofibrillary tangles. These tangles cause loss of memory and muscle function, confusion, and eventually death (NIH 2024).

Who Does it Affect?

5j64ddx2kn — 2025-04-20 19:31:52 UTC

Alzheimer's disease primarily affects older members of society, usually in the age range above 65. It is the fifth leading cause of death among people older than 65. (Alzheimer’s Association 2024).

There is no way to test for whether someone will develop Alzheimer's, although those with poorer health (such as diabetes or higher blood pressure) are more likely to develop Alzheimer's. That means it could affect you or a loved one in the future. (Kulkarni et al, 2023).

Image Sources (L to R, top to bottom)

5j64ddx2kn — 2025-04-21 00:29:52 UTC

Image 1 link: https://v1.padlet.pics/1/image.webp?t=c_limit%2Cdpr_2%2Ch_253%2Cw_508&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpadlet-artifacts.storage.googleapis.com%2F7bcdd222cb9aed3cd862d1f59d253a35f0f8ed52%2Ffb56514694a036928919201cee5a9018-h-731d68048ee3d92ec47900f6b63a20a8.jpg

Image 2 link: https://v1.padlet.pics/2/image.webp?t=c_limit%2Cdpr_2%2Ch_286%2Cw_508&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpadlet-artifacts.storage.googleapis.com%2Fadc76444d16807695af5e9d411ce4bcd682cc34f%2F42dca7a55013900a289bd243d79ebf18-h-90eb406601cf36bfb04ebe3d0bc0d440.gif

Image 3 link: https://v1.padlet.pics/1/image.webp?t=c_limit%2Cdpr_2%2Ch_494%2Cw_508&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpadlet-artifacts.storage.googleapis.com%2F736cf7a4ce11186e60d070ff47e16fdad864167b%2F180f53146c0ec5ee86d597e8657a5506-h-9f11287faac6b53e4c3f2976f55c3847.jpg

Image 4 link: https://v1.padlet.pics/1/image.webp?t=c_limit%2Cdpr_2%2Ch_339%2Cw_508&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpadlet-artifacts.storage.googleapis.com%2Fd852e5ab1656435a2d598a0e83c4f77c58b5a46f%2Ffa1320c57e6bccc9f787cba0eb11aa68-h-4184b3ae0e1730986434cc2fa07cdd65.jpg

Since Alzheimer's Cannot be Cured, Can it be Prevented?

5j64ddx2kn — 2025-04-21 01:03:14 UTC

There have been studies that show maintaining proper health (such as treating high blood pressure or diabetes), exercising properly (especially exercises that increase cardiovascular health, like aerobic exercises), and maintaining proper oral health (brushing your teeth and regularly going to the dentist) can help decrease your risks of Alzheimer's disease (NIH, 2023).

Bibliography

5j64ddx2kn — 2025-04-21 01:44:01 UTC

Kulkarni, M. S., Miller, B. C., Mahani, M., Mhaskar, R., Tsalatsanis, A., Jain, S., &
Yadav, H. (2023). Poor Oral Health Linked with Higher Risk of Alzheimer’s
Disease. Brain Sciences, 13(11), 1555.
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13111555
National Institute on Aging. (2023, October 10). Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease:
What Do We Know? National Institute on Aging.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and

dementia/preventing-alzheimers-disease-what-do-we-know
NHS. (2019). Prevention - alzheimer’s disease. NHS.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alzheimers-disease/prevention/