Understanding Alzheimer’s disease

Scientists are continuing to uncover the mysteries of Alzheimer’s, the much feared, devastating brain malady that affects one in 20 Canadians over the age of 65. Read on to better understand the effects of this terrible disease.

New treatments now slow the progression of symptoms and make home care easier. New vaccines show promise; one tested in mice, called m266, restored memory after a single shot, but it’s several years away from human testing.

Few ailments are as heartbreaking as Alzheimer’s disease. Initially, the body remains vigorous, while the mind slowly and inexorably wastes away. Then mild disorientation and memory lapses give way to agitation, confusion and eventually helplessness, as what we know as the "self" disappears altogether.

Nobody knows what causes the mental wasting of Alzheimer’s, although scientists have found that sticky protein plaques (called beta amyloids) and tangles of nerve cells progressively riddle the brains of people with the disease. Cells die off in large numbers, depleting brain chemicals that help us think and remember.

The disease mostly strikes the elderly, and if someone in your immediate family has it, you may be more likely to get it. Having a stroke may play a role, as may head injuries, high cholesterol, slow-growing infections, declining estrogen levels, nutritional deficiencies and other factors. If you go to your doctor about your forgetfulness, rest assured: the diagnosis is rarely Alzheimer’s. In fact, people with the disease are usually unaware of their mental decline and deny it even exists.

• Begin drug treatment and therapies as early as possible.
• Consider natural treatments during early stages.
• Treat any related conditions. In the early stages, depression, anxiety or irritability are common. Other symptoms may arise as the disease progresses, such as insomnia, delusions or aggression.
• Seek support to help with transitions, decisions and emotional upheaval.
• Initiate discussion about advanced directives and decisions while mental capacities are still intact.

These tips for caregivers can help improve daily life.

• Simplify surroundings. Excessive distractions can be stressful. Create soothing routines and limit choices, such as what to eat or wear.
• Redirect attention rather than arguing if an Alzheimer’s sufferer becomes irrational or upset. Share a chore, like folding napkins, or have a snack.
• Install gates and safety locks to prevent wandering and limit hazards.
• Talk. Touch. Watch old home movies. These activities are comforting for many people with Alzheimer’s.
• Communicate clearly. Some people get confused because they don't recognize emotions. So be calm, use short statements, and offer visual and verbal clues, varying your tone and expressions.

The Alzheimer Society of Canada (1-800-616-8816 or www.alzheimer.ca) provides links to provincial chapters as well as information on research, Canadian drug trials and prevention studies.