Alzheimer's is a disease of the brain. It develops as a result of the ageing process with dementia often one of its symptoms. Its causes are as yet not fully known.
Medical research shows that plaques of an insoluble protein fragment known as beta amyloid tend to accumulate in the space between neurons of the brain, to reduce or even cut off communication avenues in the hippocampus. It also shows in the death of some of the brain cells.
These conditions tend to manifest in our mid sixties, but can occur at any age and as early as age 20-30 in those with Down's syndrome.
Patients are generally found to have low levels of acetylcholine (Ach) in the cerebral cortex of the brain, and it is hoped that drugs that boost its action may improve their memory but this is still being researched. It is thought that the amyloid precursor protein (APP) may be involved but it seems that much further investigation has to be done before we can be confident of a remedy.
In Alzheimer's, the brain shrivels gradually until in severe cases contracts to only about two thirds of its normal size. The first area of the brain to be involved in this deterioration is the hippocampus where personal memories are stored and also cognition of location. Retrieval of short term and spatial memories becomes gradually affected until all memory is affected.
Those amongst us who have experienced the difficulties in supporting aged parents with these symptoms will know how trying it is to have to protect, guide and observe with sympathy and patience, their many irregularities in behaviour. Wandering away from home is one of the most disconcerting and common behavioural changes and this can be extremely frightening for the individual suffering the disease, and more than a little disconcerting for family members who wish to support their loved ones at home rather than committing them to a nursing home.
If we wish to avoid mental disease we must make all possible effort to improve and maintain our own mental fitness and so avoid suffering Alzheimer's disease.
Sally Janssen is a writer and educator who from an early age trained in Raja Yoga--that branch of the ancient science that deals with the mind and its complexities. She subsequently gained an international reputation for her skills and her wisdom in the training of the mind.
In her wonderfully readable book entitled Mental Fitness: The Complete Self-help Guide she presents simple, self-help practices that help to generate and maintain mental fitness just as the natural principles of physical fitness can be personally applied by us all. The book may be found here: http://www.mentalhealthandfitness.com. This really is a must-read book for us all. Sally also welcomes you to visit her blog at http://www.mentalhealthandfitness.com/blog
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