What body systems does Alzheimer's disease effect?

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Im doing my assignment and am a little confused. What body systems does Alzheimer's disease effect both macroscopically and microscopically? I know macro is the nervous system but is there any more? I cant find anything at all on the internet telling me what it effect microscopically. By microscopically i mean the substructures. For example diabetes has ones like eyes, kidneys, gums and feet! Thankyou!
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How can you get a person 'tested' for Alzheimer's disease?

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I am afraid my mother is showing signs of this dreaded disease. I want to know how I can confirm it.
Hi Rebecca.....First let me say that there is NO one specific diagnostic test for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and secondly, while your mother may be showing signs of memory loss, cognitive impairment, lack of interest, etc.....AD is by no means the only dementia! People generally will use the term dementia and Alzheimer's Disease synonymously, and this just isn't accurate. There are a number of tests that are used in diagnosing and ruling out the various dementias--and quite often AD is diagnosed by exclusion. Some of the less serious causes of dementia respond well to treatment---so be sure when you take her for a consult with her PCP, you get a referral for a neurological consultation, where more specific tests will be ordered and conducted.

I sincerely hope this helps you some.  (+ info)

Can Alzheimer’s disease happen to younger people?

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Can Alzheimer’s disease happen to younger people that are age 12?
She has gone on the website www.onmemory.ca and took at test that said that if you had over 5 things checked off, then you should see a doctor. But, she is twelve years old. Could it be that she has Alzheimer’s disease or is it just because she's going through puberty?
Alzheimer's disease is a catchall in the gereral public for all memory problems. If the site suggested that she should see a doctor, then maybe she should. There might be another medical condition that is causing her memory problems. If a person is very emotional, they really cannot think logically. The emotional brain is the right brain, and the logical/mathmaticat brain is on the left side. If the problem is as simple as just being overemotional/anxious, then that would account for her scores. She went on the website for a reason. I think you need to talk to her, and evaluate if she needs to follow up with a doctor visit.  (+ info)

What are some ways to make life easier for a loved family member battling Alzheimer's Disease?

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My grandfather is one of the most remarkable people you will ever meet. He served in World War II, has been an outstanding family man, and a greater role model. He helped me get involved in following sports. He helped raise my siblings and I when our parents worked full-time. Over the years he has been the bastion of strength and wisdom through my family's ups and downs. In 2004 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and it has been very difficult for everyone in my family. The man I remember as being so strong and smart as a whip has so much trouble today with memories and dealing with his surroundings.

He is fargone now, and is living on borrowed time. My heart is broken as a result of this illness because soon I will lose one of my best friends in this world. How do I make the rest of his days the very best for him and I despite the degeneration of his illness?
To everyone who as posted an answer here- First of all, I have to say that each and everyone of you has been really classy with your answers. That is greatly appreciated. I've cried upon reading each response. The past three years have been really rough for my family and I. Again, if you ever had the chance to meet my grandfather for the first time, you would like him in an instant. He has that quality to make each and everyone in a room feel special and induce smiling.

I only hope I grow up and become half the man he is. I owe everything I have ever learned about sports (especially the NHL and hockey in general) to him.

cme, Blossom, 288, Aurora, (I apologize to anyone I may have missed so far...I will make mention of you in a moment)- thank you very much for the kind words each of you expressed for my family and I.
amdd, sharen d, jmz, Em, yankees 10, Gevera Bert- I also would like to express my graditude for your kindness and your words.
I honestly cannot pick a best answer for this question, because EVERY answer here is great and extremely helpful. I wish Yahoo could give me the option to pick 11 best answers for this question. Thank you everyone for the wonderful answers.
Wow Snoop, I'm terribly sorry. Watching your hero deteriorate in person is very difficult. My grandfather was stricken with cancer which metastasized and ended up in his brain. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Spend all the time you can with him!! I found the best way to deal with the enevitable was to surround myself with others going through the same thing. See below...and good luck.  (+ info)

Does anyone have any interesting stories about their family members developing Alzheimer's disease?

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What is your story? How did you find out that your loved one has Alzheimer's diseas? How does it affect your family emotionally, physically, and mentally? The more details, the better.
I think you need to approach this question with more sensitivity... You ask it as though you're asking for fishing stories or something, and it isn't a topic that most people who have experience in take lightly. It's a heartbreaking disease and "The more details, the better" makes you sound like a shark.

I would have been willing to tell you my story if I hadn't felt like you didn't care one bit about peoples feelings.  (+ info)

Should I tell my mom that I think she may have Alzheimer's Disease?

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My mother is the perfect set-up for Alzheimer's Disease. She is sedimentary, had a traumatic brain injury, spent her life popping pills, and now she is showing signs of the disease. Typically, I would say tell a person, but she has attempted suicide several times and she is finally at the point that she is stable. If she new she had the disease than, I think she may hurt herself. However, I know there are certain procedures that can slow down the process so I don't really know what to do. I don't even know if she has it, but the signs are definitely there. What should I do?
Get her an appointment with the doctor. But talk to the doctor first about why she's coming. There are specific (and small unobtrusive) tests a doctor can do in order to get a sense of whether the problem may be Alzheimer's.

If she's on medications, or medication combinations, there is also a chance that these are creating the "signs" that you see. Understand that these clinical signs are sometimes quite similar to medication combinations or effects. And that the severity of those symptoms is often the first clue we have about whether we're looking at Alzheimer's or some other problem.

But the important thing is that you not be the one to make the diagnosis but rather the doctor do it. And then you can support the doctor and your mother in this process rather than you taking the lead. You may also find there are other local resources for Alzheimer patient support (contact your regional/state Alzheimer's Association) that will help you with dealing with this common question and how best to go about it.  (+ info)

If someone has Alzheimer's Disease but has led a pretty full life are they in Integrity or Despair?

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I studying Erikson's theory and am trying to write a paper on a particular person but I can't ask her any questions because she is at end-stage Alzheimer's.
I do not think that Alzheimer's determines if the person is in integrity or despair. You mentioned that the person had a full life so I would guess they were (are) in integrity.  (+ info)

Why can't people with Alzheimer's disease remember new information?

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Is it because their brain becomes so small it can not retain new information, thus proving the brain has a limit to memory? Or is it that it can not create new synapses because of decay? I am only 15, please it is for a mental health assignment, I chose Alzheimer's disease because my grandfather has it.
Ok Alzheimers is a terminal, degenerative illness.

Alzheimer's disease is characterised by loss of neurons and synapses in the cerebral cortex and certain subcortical regions. Means that it basically burns neurons and bridges between them. It is caused by degeneration of the teporal and perital lobe.

In most simplest terms the brain is slowly dying and usuall the memory section of the brain is killed off first, as Alzheimes starts near here. The brain is simply breaking down and getting smaller and smaller as more neurons and bridges are breaking away and what you are left with is death unfortunately.  (+ info)

How do you talk to people with Alzheimer's Disease?

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I started volunteering at an Alzheimer's facility, and I'm having difficulty talking to the residents. I don't know them well yet, so I'm trying to ask about them, how their day was, what they like, etc. In most cases, though, they can't remember. I feel awkward, and revert to a polite 'smile-and-nod' technique, which I know is the last thing I should be doing. How can I stop being polite and start talking? What do I talk about?
A calm and stable home environment reduces behavior problems. New situations, noise, large groups of people, being rushed or pressed to remember, or being asked to do complicated tasks can cause anxiety. As a person with Alzheimer's becomes upset, the ability to think clearly declines even more.

If you are a caregiver here are some tips or things you should know about coz you'll encounter like sundowning;

The term "sundowning" refers to a state of confusion at the end of the day and into the night. Sundowning isn't a disease, but a symptom that often occurs in people with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. The cause isn't known. But factors that may aggravate late-day confusion include:

* Fatigue
* Low lighting
* Increased shadows

Some tips for reducing this type of disorientation in one with dementia:

* Plan for activities and exposure to light during the day to encourage nighttime sleepiness.
* Limit caffeine and sugar to morning hours.
* Serve dinner early and offer a light snack before bedtime.
* Keep a night light on to reduce agitation that occurs when surroundings are dark or unfamiliar.
* In a strange or unfamiliar setting such as a hospital, encourage family members to bring familiar items such as photographs or a radio from home.

When sundowning occurs in a care facility, it may be related to the flurry of activity during staff shift changes. Staff arriving and leaving may cue some people with Alzheimer's to want to go home or to check on their children — or other behaviors that were appropriate in the late afternoon in their past. It may help to occupy their time during that period.

you are doing well, just talk to them like normal people, don't press for an answer though. they need constant stimulation. Verbal, auditory etc.

be patient.  (+ info)

What is the primary cause of Alzheimer's disease?

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I've been told that a chemical imbalance causes Alzheimer's. What I can't find out is has that imbalance always been present in ones brain?
Over the last 4-5 yrs ago, my mom has been showing signs of it but was diagnosed with severe depression by the Cleveland Clinic. I recently took her to a geriatric dr. who diagnosed her w/Alzheimers. There's no history of it in our family. How can a chemical imbalance suddenly develop?
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