Bhavya

=Alzheimer= Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a degenerative disease (loss of function in the cells of a tissue or organ) of the brain that causes dementia. Dementia is the loss of memory, judgement, and ability to function. This disorder is mostly seen in people older than age 65, and is less likely to be seen earlier in adulthood. Alzheimer is inherited from an autosomal dominant pattern. Most people inherit the altered gene from one affected parent. Alzheimer's Disease gets worse over time. AD is characterized as the development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which is the loss of connections between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain, and the death of nerve cells. Neurofibrillary tangles are twisted fragments of protein in the nerve cells that clog up the cell.

Symptoms of AD include difficulty with many areas on mental function like:
 * Memory
 * Behavior
 * Thinking
 * Language

The cause of AD is not fully known, but it is believed both genetic and environmental factors. Anyone with either type of AD have 46 chromosomes. There are 2 types of AD :
 * Early On Set
 * Late On Set

Early on set occurs between ages 30 - 60, but it isn't as common as late on set. It does progress quickly though. Some early on set AD has no known reason, but most cases are inherited. Early on set AD that is inherited is a type known as Familial Alzheimer's Disease (FAD). FAD is caused by any one of a different single gene mutations on chromosomes 1, 14, and 21. Mutations on chromosome 1 leads to abnormal presenilin 2. Mutations on chromosome 14 causes abnormal presenilin 1 to be made. The formation of abnormal amyloid precursor protein (APP) is caused be mutations on chromosome 21.

Late on set occurs after the age of 60, but the causes aren't understood yet. They are likely to include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The single gene mutations involved with early on set Alzheimer's doesn't seem to be involved with late on set. There is no specific gene found yet that causes the late on set for of Alzheimer's, but one genetic risk factor does seem to be found that increases a risk of developing the disease. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is related to the increased risk which is found on chromosome 19. Apolipoprotein E is a gene on chromosome 19 which makes a protein that helps carry cholesterol and other types of fat in the bloodstream. APOE comes in several different alleles. APOE ε2: rare and may provide some protection against AD. If AD occurs in a person with this allele, it develops later in life unlike someone with the APOE ε4 gene. APOE ε3: most common allele, plays a neutral role in the disease APOE ε4: present in about 25% - 30% of the population and in 40% of all people with late on set AD. People who develop Alzheimer's are more likely to have an APOE ε4 allele than people who do not develop the disease.
 * The three forms that occur most frequently are:

In the United States, 5.4 million people, an estimated amount of people, are living with AD, and someone develops this disease every 69 seconds. Unless something is done, it is possible for 16 million Americans to have Alzheimer's in 2050, and someone to develop this disease every 33 seconds.

Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the country and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that can't be prevented, cured or even slowed. A 65 year old person who is diagnosed with AD, typically lives 4-8 years, but some may get lucky, and live for up to 20 years. While deaths of other major diseases like heart disease (number one cause of death), breast cancer, prostate cancer decreased, deaths from Alzheimer's increased 66% between 2000-2008.

Number of People Aged 65 and Older with Alzheimer’s by Age:
 * Year || 65 - 74 || 75 - 84 || 85 + ||
 * 2000 || 5,100 || 42,000 || 31,000 ||
 * 2010 || 4,400 || 40,000 || 41,000 ||
 * 2020 || 5,800 || 41,000 || 44,000 ||
 * 2025 || 6,600 || 49,000 || 45,000 ||

There aren't any outside factors that contribute to AD known yet.





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Reference 4: http://www.huliq.com/12079/alzheimers-disease-2011-report-brings-alarming-statistics-caregivers

Reference 5: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_and_figures.asp

Reference 6: http://www.alz.org/documents_custom/2011_Facts_Figures_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Reference 7: http://www.alz.org/documents_custom/Facts_2011/ALZ_MD.pdf?type=interior_map&facts=undefined&facts=facts