About the Last Stages of Alzheimer's

Five million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease according to the Alzheimer's Association. It is a devastating condition that destroys brain cells causing memory loss, an inability to think and drastic changes in behavior. It is the sixth leading cause of death in this country, but intense research in the last fifteen years has led to new medicines to help with the symptoms. For those who have family members dying from this disease, the journey is long as patients move from the beginning stages to the last stages of Alzheimer's.

History

• Alzheimer's disease was discovered in 1906 by Alois Alzheimer, who performed an autopsy on his patient, Frau Auguste D. She was a 51-year-old woman who had suffered from memory loss, suspicions, difficulty speaking and an inability to understand what was said. Dr. Alzheimer discovered dead brain cells and abnormal deposits in and around her brain cells. The disease was named after him.

Features

• Alzheimer's is distinguished by a person's inability to function, but a real diagnosis cannot be determined until after death. The brain contains billions of nerve cells that network to other cells. Their job is to help the body think and learn. When plaque builds up around the cells, the cells cannot do their work. Tangles form in the dying cells. Between the plaque and tangles, the parts of the brain that control thinking and memory are affected.

Types

• Seven stages of Alzheimer's determine the progression of the disease. Not all people experience the same symptoms of each stage, but it is a good indicator. The stages range from unimpaired function to severe cognitive decline. The stages are categorized by mild, moderate, moderately severe and severe.

Significance

• Stage six and stage seven, the last stages of Alzheimer's, are the severe cognitive decline stages. In stage six, the patient may not be aware of recent experiences, may not be able to recall events, may forget family names, cannot dress properly, will have trouble sleeping, will need help with the toilet, may wander and get lost, and my have hallucinations.
  In stage seven, the patient loses ability to respond to the environment, and the body loses the ability to move. Patients cannot speak, need help eating, cannot walk or sit without support, will have trouble swallowing and the muscles will become rigid.

Theories/Speculation

• There is no cure for Alzheimer's. There are medications to help slow down the progression of the disease, so patients can have a better standard of life. Aricept is used for mild to severe Alzheimer's and Namenda is used for moderate to severe Alzheimer's. Aricept supports communication among the nerve cells. Namenda regulates glutamate, a chemical that helps learning and memory.
  There is some research using Vitamin E, an antioxidant that may protect nerve cells. The dosages are high and should be supervised by a physician.