Is Alzheimer's disease genetic?
There are a few very rare cases in which Alzheimer's disease
does run in families. In these cases, there is a direct
link between an inherited mutation in one gene and the onset
of the disease. These tend to be cases of early-onset Alzheimer's
disease -- affecting those under age 65. In these cases,
the probability that close family members (brothers, sisters
and children) will develop Alzheimer's disease is one in
two. Most cases of Alzheimer's disease are not of the type
that is passed on directly in this way. If a family member
has a normal form of Alzheimer's disease, the risk to close
relatives is around three times higher than the risk for
a person of a similar age who has no family history of the
disease. It is thought that, in these cases, a person's
genes may contribute to the development of the disease but
do not cause it directly.
Is there a cure for Alzheimer's disease?
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease or
for most other causes of dementia. Nor can a cure be expected
in the foreseeable future. Researchers are still at the
stage of developing drugs that will slow down the progression
of the disease, at least in some cases. They still do not
know how to prevent the disease from occurring, how to stop
its progression or how to reverse its effects. It is hoped
that more research into the causes of Alzheimer's disease
will eventually make a cure possible.
Are there any drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease?
Although there are no drugs that can cure Alzheimer's
disease at present, there are a number of drug treatments
that can help some people with Alzheimer's disease. Currently
available treatments can slow down the progression of the
disease in some cases for periods between six and 18 months.
The main class of such compounds is the cholinesterase inhibitors.
Other kinds of drugs are sometimes useful for controlling
some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, such as sleeplessness
and agitation. In general, the use of drugs such as sleeping
pills or tranquilizers should be kept to a minimum if someone
has Alzheimer's disease, as they can increase confusion.
Can Alzheimer's disease be prevented?
Not enough is known about the causes of Alzheimer's disease
for any preventative measures to be recommended. Although
Alzheimer's disease is more common with increasing age,
the trigger for the characteristic changes that occur in
the brain tissue of people with Alzheimer's disease is not
known. Even though these brain changes are associated with
aging, these are not a normal part of the aging process.
Genes are thought to play a part in the development of most
cases of Alzheimer's disease. In rare cases, abnormal genes
actually cause the disease. Much more commonly, genes are
believed only to contribute to a person's susceptibility
to the disease. It seems that, at least in some cases, factors
in the environment may be necessary to trigger the illness.
Someone I care for with Alzheimer's has become violent.
What can I do?
It is important to remember that your loved one's aggression
is not directly aimed at you but is part of his illness.
It is common for people who have Alzheimer's disease to
pass through a phase of being angry and sometimes aggressive.
Although this phase will pass, it may help you in the meantime
to consider some of the things that may be triggering your
loved one's anger. For example, he may not like being forced
to accept help to do things that he used to do on his own,
such as washing. Or perhaps he feels frustrated simply because
he is unable to do certain things. Another possibility is
that your loved one is bewildered and frightened because
he no longer understands what is going on around him. It
is also possible that he is just bored or has excess energy.
Sometimes hunger, the need to pass urine or constipation
can lead to disruptive behavior. If the angry outbursts
have only started recently, they may be due to an infection
or pain. Once you have been able to identify some of the
things that tend to make your loved one angry, you may be
able to reduce the number of angry outbursts.
Who should I go to if I suspect Alzheimer's disease?
First, go to your regular family physician. The physician
will probably do a variety of tests to determine if you
have probable Alzheimer's. Neurologists, gerontologists
and geriatric psychiatrists may also become part of the
patient's treatment team.
How long does Alzheimer's disease last on average?
The average length of Alzheimer's disease is seven years.
However, it varies from patient to patient and can last
as long as 20 years.
Is there a genetic test to see if you have a predisposition
to Alzheimer's?
A blood test is available to identify which apoE alleles a
person has, because apolipoprotein is associated with an already
well-studied condition, heart disease. However, this blood
test cannot tell people whether they will develop Alzheimer's
or when. Although some people want to know whether they will
get Alzheimer's disease later in life, this type of prediction
is not yet possible. In fact, some researchers believe that
apoE tests or other screening measures may never be able to
predict Alzheimer's with 100 percent accuracy.
The children of Roger Keeley, all five of them, have a name for themselves when they all go to Third Phillips to visit their father, Roger... Read more...