How Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain. Signs and symptoms

Cognitive decline is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain. In the elderly, it is the most typical cause of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects memory, cognitive function, and behavior. It is the most common type of dementia. Although it is commonly associated with adults over the age of 65, it is important to understand that Alzheimer’s disease can also affect younger people, a condition known as early onset Alzheimer’s diseasewhich occurs before the age of 65.

According to experts, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease accounts for less than 10% of all cases. It is usually caused by an inherited genetic trait. It most commonly occurs in people in their 50s or 60s, but it can also start in their 30s.

Currently, the cure for Alzheimer’s is yet to be found, but there are various treatment options that can be adopted to manage the symptoms and slow the progression of this condition.

What to Expect When You Have Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic brain condition that gets worse over time. It is characterized by changes in the brain that lead to the accumulation of proteins.

As a result of Alzheimer’s disease, the brain shrinks and eventually begins to lose brain cells. A person’s ability to perform their job is affected by these changes.

Alzheimer’s disease: 7 surprising symptoms

The most common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss. Early warning symptoms include trouble recalling recent events or conversations. However, as the disease progresses, memory deteriorates and other symptoms appear.

• Memory loss that interferes with daily activities
• Struggling with problem solving and decision making.
• Confusion about time, place, or other surroundings.
• Difficulty finding words and completing sentences.
• Mood and personality changes.
• More time in solving daily tasks.
• Emotional outbursts, depression or anxiety.

Causes of the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease

The cause of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is most likely hereditary. Some people are born with genetic abnormalities in certain genes and acquire familial Alzheimer’s disease at an early age. Because of these changes, the brain produces harmful proteins that accumulate in the brain, forming clumps known as amyloid plaques.

The genes are passed from generation to generation in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning that to develop the disorder, a person only needs to inherit one copy of the mutated gene from one parent. Often the father suffers from the same condition.