About Alzheimer's & Parkinson's

Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are both degenerative neural disorders. This means that their root causes are in the brain and, over time, the symptoms progress as the brain deteriorates. Recently, studies have indicated that these two diseases may have a common cause. This exciting discovery opens the door for research in many new directions that may ultimately lead to a cure.

History

• Alzheimer's disease was first documented and diagnosed in 1906 by Alois Alzheimer. However, until advancements were made about 15 years ago, patients diagnosed with the disease had few options. Parkinson's disease has been documented for centuries under the names of various palsies and, as early as 1817, it was hypothesized that the problems had something to do with chemical imbalances in the brain.

Significance

• Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are both brain disorders, but their presence and symptoms do not necessarily indicate the same neural issues. Researchers believe that Alzheimer's disease is caused by plaques that form in brain cells and disrupt communications between cells and between the brain and other parts of the body. Parkinson's symptoms generally indicate a lack of dopamine, a chemical that helps keep your muscles moving smoothly and effectively. When you do not have enough dopamine, your coordination suffers.

Identification

• Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are not clear cut, and in some cases may be confused with each other, even though they stem from different problems. People with either disorder may have trouble performing familiar tasks. However, Parkinson's disease patients have trouble because their coordination is beginning to suffer, while Alzheimer's patients' have trouble coordinating the steps of the task. Other early Alzheimer's symptoms include problems with language, such as unusual word usage or trouble recalling familiar words; and poor judgment and disorientation, such as getting lost in your own neighborhood. Early Parkinson's warnings include trembling involuntarily, stiff, rigid, unresponsive muscles and walking with a stiff gait in which the body is partially bent.

Time Frame

• Symptoms of both diseases can occur early in life, but usually do not manifest themselves until the patient is 60 or older. Once the disease is diagnosed, various treatments can prolong the patient's life and help him continue to live in a normal, happy fashion. However, neither disease is curable at this time and both eventually result in death.

Theories/Speculation

• Recent studies in the United States and England indicate that Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease may, in fact, be triggered by the same brain chemicals--or lack thereof. If this is true, this could explain why many people diagnosed with one disorder often display symptoms of the other. Research indicates that two vital brain chemicals, called taut and alpha-synuclein, can work together if they are present in high quantities and form brain lesions, thought to be the cause of both neural disorders. In some cases, the presence of one chemical elevated the concentrations of the other.

Expert Insight

• The researchers who made these discoveries believe that this could have major ramifications for the treatment of patients with either or both diseases. In particular, a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease by preventing the formation of a certain type of lesion on brain cells might also slow, or even halt, the progression of Alzheimer's disease as well.