Alzheimer's and dementia

The population in America today is aging. There are now 34 million Americans over 65, and as the baby boomers near retirement that number is only increasing. As the population’s landscape is changing, so is the landscape of health concerns. Alzheimer’s and dementia are affecting more and more Americans and at younger and younger ages.
These diseases are complex and often difficult to understand, but a closer look is necessary if we hope to slow their growth and hopefully one day find cures. Dementia is defined as the loss of memory, reason, judgment and language. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. As we age, some loss of memory is to be expected, but severe loss of memory and judgment is not normal.
The human brain is made up of cells called neurons and support cells called glial cells. There are over 100 Billion neurons in the human brain, and they are connected by over 100 Trillion synapses. Under normal conditions, neurons in the brain can live up to and even over 100 years. In an aging brain neurons can shrink and damage from free radicals increase. In an aging brain, tangles and plaques can also occur, and are thought to be related to dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Plaques and Tangles can occur under normal circumstances, but occur more often with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Plaques are remnants of cells that can stick to the neurons and make the less effective. Tangles are tiny tubes and filaments that tangle within neurons make it more difficult for them to send electrical impulses.
While we do not know exactly what causes dementia, we do know some things that we can do that have been show to reduce the risk. We know that getting enough physical exercise has many different benefits, but not everyone know that physical exercise can help reduce the risk of dementia. The increased blood flow to the brain that can result from exercise is thought to help reduce the risk of dementia. Social interaction and actively engaging your mind on a regular basis has also been shown to reduce the risk of dementia, and even to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by 47%.



Bibliography

1. Can Alzheimer’s Disease be prevented? The National Institute on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services, June 2006.
2. Multi-Infarct Dementia Fact Sheet. Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center, The National Institute on Aging, July 2003.
3. Alzheimer’s Disease Unraveling The Mystery The National Institute on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services, December 2003