12-29-2013, 05:59 AM
Alzheimer's disease is a disorder caused by neurological problems in which the death of brain cells causes memory loss and cognitive decline. A neurodegenerative type of dementia, the disease starts mild and gets progressively worse.
Alzheimer’s disease where there is a family link, called familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD), is more common amongst younger people.
All the Familial Alzheimer’s disease known so far has an early commencement, and as many as 50 percent of the cases are now known to be caused by defects in three different genes located at three different chromosomes of human, the structures inside cells that house the genetic code. Some families have mutations in a gene called amyloid precursor protein (APP), which causes an abnormal form of the amyloid protein to be produced. The other families have mutations in a gene called presenilin-1, which causes an abnormal Presenilin-1 protein to be produced. Still others have mutations in a very similar gene called presenilin-2, which causes an abnormal Presenilin 2 protein to be produced.
Even if one of these mutations is present in only one of the two copies of a gene inherited from a person's parents, the person will inevitably develop that form of early-onset Alzheimer's (this is called autosomal dominant inheritance). However, the total known number of these cases is small (between 100 and 200 worldwide), and there is as yet no evidence that any of these mutations play a major role in the more common, sporadic or non-familial form of late-onset Alzheimer's. Scientists are working to reveal the normal function of APP and presenilins and to determine how mutations of these genes cause the onset of familial Alzheimer’s disease.
Treatment:
Till date there is no preventative or curative treatment for this disease. Many of drugs exist, which can help to ease certain symptoms such as depression, anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and insomnia. Regrettably, these drugs have a propensity to be effective for a limited number of patients, only for a small period of time and may cause adverse side effects.
Alzheimer’s disease where there is a family link, called familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD), is more common amongst younger people.
All the Familial Alzheimer’s disease known so far has an early commencement, and as many as 50 percent of the cases are now known to be caused by defects in three different genes located at three different chromosomes of human, the structures inside cells that house the genetic code. Some families have mutations in a gene called amyloid precursor protein (APP), which causes an abnormal form of the amyloid protein to be produced. The other families have mutations in a gene called presenilin-1, which causes an abnormal Presenilin-1 protein to be produced. Still others have mutations in a very similar gene called presenilin-2, which causes an abnormal Presenilin 2 protein to be produced.
Even if one of these mutations is present in only one of the two copies of a gene inherited from a person's parents, the person will inevitably develop that form of early-onset Alzheimer's (this is called autosomal dominant inheritance). However, the total known number of these cases is small (between 100 and 200 worldwide), and there is as yet no evidence that any of these mutations play a major role in the more common, sporadic or non-familial form of late-onset Alzheimer's. Scientists are working to reveal the normal function of APP and presenilins and to determine how mutations of these genes cause the onset of familial Alzheimer’s disease.
Treatment:
Till date there is no preventative or curative treatment for this disease. Many of drugs exist, which can help to ease certain symptoms such as depression, anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and insomnia. Regrettably, these drugs have a propensity to be effective for a limited number of patients, only for a small period of time and may cause adverse side effects.
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