What Alzheimer’s does to the brain?

Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain, which results in dementia. The majority of Alzheimer’s diagnoses are in people 65 are older, and age is one of the primary risk factors for the disease. Younger people can be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but occurrence in younger people is rare. While age is a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s, it’s important to understand that the condition isn’t a result of normal aging processes.

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include:

• Memory loss and trouble recalling new information
• Disorientation
• Getting lost
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Irritability
• Losing objects with the inability to retrace steps to find them
• Losing the ability to operate common household objects
• Inability to live alone
• Difficulty walking, swallowing, speaking

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease. The brain begins experiencing small changes long before the first symptoms appear. The first symptoms typically involve memory and thinking difficulties, and the first areas of the brain to experience changes are the areas involved in memory and higher-order thinking.

The brain contains billions of neurons that connect to form neural networks that help in processes like thinking, learning, and memory. Neurons require certain things to function properly, and they require the ability to communicate with other cells within their networks. Interruption to these processes can result in neural cell death.

Scientists presently believe that Alzheimer’s disease stops the cells from doing their jobs, which ultimately causes cell death and the atrophy, or shrinking, of the brain itself. Researchers think that these interruptions are caused by the buildup of specific proteins in the brain in certain formations. The formations of these proteins are called plaques and tangles. Plaques are specific protein particles that build up in the gaps between neurons. Tangles are other protein fibers that build up inside the cells themselves.

Research on the brains of people with Alzheimer’s has shown that the buildup of plaques and tangles begins in the brain that governs memory and thinking and then moves into the areas of the brain that are involved in speaking and communication and spatial reasoning. In the final stage of Alzheimer’s, damage has occurred to most of the brain's cortex, and the brain’s mass is reduced because of the death of the neural cells.

If you’re experiencing any symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s, talk with your doctor immediately. If you’re concerned about a loved one’s memory, visit with their doctor for guidance on what to do next. You can also get support from the Alzheimer’s 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900.