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  • Essay / The risks and progression of Alzheimer's disease

    Where did I put my glasses? No, I'm sorry, I don't remember. These are things that people with Alzheimer's disease might repeat. It is estimated that approximately 5.1 million Americans may suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Genetics has a key influence in the development of Alzheimer's disease, and as our population ages, the disease affects a greater percentage of Americans. Alzheimer's disease or AD is a disease that can cause very serious brain problems and damage. Additionally, many studies have been done on the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Age and genetics are the main risk factors for people who get Alzheimer's disease. One in ten people over the age of 65 and more than half of those over the age of 85 have Alzheimer's disease. It is estimated that more than 15 million Americans will be affected by 2050. One of the main reasons for this is the rapid growth of the oldest age groups in the U.S. population. The number of people aged 75 to 84 will double, and the number of people aged 85 will quadruple, believe it or not. This disease makes it very difficult for older people to continue their daily activities. People with rare genetic changes that virtually guarantee they will develop Alzheimer's disease often begin experiencing symptoms around age 40 or 50 (Thies 2012). When people think of Alzheimer's disease, they often think of memory loss and an exaggeration of normal aging, which is not true. Alzheimer's disease is much more than just a disease linked to old age and memory problems. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It is an irreversible age-related brain disorder that develops over time. People with Alzheimer's disease often feel confused and lost. In addition, their cognitive abilities b...... middle of article ......e effects of vitamin E and one of the drugs currently approved for Alzheimer's disease, in preventing development of the disease in people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. Another research trial is examining the effectiveness of naproxen and celecoxib in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease in a person with a family history of Alzheimer's disease or dementia. As scientists test these drugs, the next generation of drugs are designed to target specific abnormal cellular pathways, including plaques, tangles formation, and brain cell death. An interesting study in Japan of more than a thousand men and women over sixty found that people with diabetes were twice as likely to get Alzheimer's disease. Researchers are now trying to understand the molecular mechanisms that link diabetes to Alzheimer's disease. It is thought that the link could be twofold