Alzheimer's disease 9

Memory disturbance, nonspecific symptoms of the eyes, nervous system symptoms, constipation, and tiredness or exhaustion are some of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

These symptoms can vary from one person to another, but they often include:

• Memory problems: Forgetting recent conversations, events, or names of places and objects
• Nonspecific symptoms of the eyes: Difficulty with eye movements, blurred vision, or other visual disturbances
• Nervous system symptoms: Muscle weakness, tremors, or changes in coordination and balance
• Constipation: Changes in bowel habits or difficulty with urination
• Tiredness or exhaustion: Feeling fatigued or lacking energy, even after rest

These symptoms can be early signs of Alzheimer's disease, especially if they are persistent and interfere with daily life. It is essential to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References: [9] - Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. [10] - The symptoms of Alzheimer’s can vary from one person to another.

Diagnostic Tests for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease can be diagnosed using various tests and evaluations. Some of the diagnostic tests include:

• Cognitive Evaluation: This test assesses a person's mental abilities, such as memory or thinking.
• Psychiatric Evaluation: A specialist will evaluate a person's emotional and behavioral state to determine if they have Alzheimer's disease.
• Neurological Evaluation: This evaluation assesses a person's nervous system function to identify any abnormalities that may be related to Alzheimer's disease.
• MRI Scan: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans can help diagnose Alzheimer's disease by showing changes in the brain's structure.
• PET Scan: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans can also help diagnose Alzheimer's disease by showing changes in the brain's metabolism.
• Amyloid PET Imaging: This imaging test can detect amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.

These diagnostic tests can be used to determine if a person has Alzheimer's disease and to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. [9]

Drugs that Slow Disease Progression

Medications in this category are designed to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease, rather than just managing its symptoms. These drugs aim to slow down the decline of memory and thinking skills, as well as overall function, in people living with Alzheimer's.

• Examples: Lecanemab (Lequembi) and Donanemab (Kisunla)
• Mechanism: These medications work by targeting specific biological pathways involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
• Benefits: By slowing down disease progression, these drugs may help preserve cognitive function and independence for longer periods.

According to recent clinical trials, these medications have shown promise in slowing down the decline of memory and thinking skills in people with early Alzheimer's disease. However, more research is needed to fully understand their effects and potential benefits.

References:

• [9] Medications that slow disease progression.
• [7] The FDA has approved two drugs that may slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease and are only indicated for people with mild disease: Lecanemab (Lequembi)
• [15] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla) for people with mild Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease.

Differential Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that can be challenging to diagnose, as its symptoms and pathologies may resemble those of other dementias. A differential diagnosis is essential to rule out other potential causes of dementia.

Key Clinical Features to Consider:

• Memory Impairment: Difficulty in learning new information, recalling recent events, or remembering familiar words and names [1].
• Executive Function and Judgment/Problem Solving: Trouble with planning, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities [7].
• Impairments in Other Cognitive Domains: Decline in attention, language, visuospatial skills, and motor function [7].

Differential Diagnosis Criteria:

The differential diagnosis for Alzheimer's disease includes:

• Degenerative dementias (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Pick's disease)
• Emotional dementias (e.g., depression)
• Metabolic dementias (e.g., organ failure)
• Neoplastic dementias (e.g., cancer-related dementia) [3]

Other Dementias to Consider:

• Vascular Dementia: Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often resulting from stroke or small vessel disease.
• Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Characterized by the presence of abnormal protein clumps (Lewy bodies) in the brain.
• Frontotemporal Dementias: A group of disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes.

References:

[1] Context 3 [2] Context 9 [3] Context 4 [7] Context 7