Alzheimer's: Memory Loss, Dementia & Brain Cell Death - Research Paper

Introduction

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease that often destroys an individual's memory as well as other vital mental functions; it causes the disintegration or wastage of the brain cells which leads to the death of the cells (Blank, 2019). Alzheimer's is the primary cause of dementia since the continuous decline in social, thinking and behavioral skills disrupt the ability of an individual to function independently. An early sign of Alzheimer's disease includes; forgetting recent conversations and events. The individual develops severe memory impairments as the condition advances hence making it difficult for the person to carry out their day to day activities. The current medication treatments used in treating the disease tends to temporarily slow its rate of decline or improve the symptoms (Dubois et al., 2016). There is no specific treatment which is known to cure the disease or alter its process in the patient's brain. However, there are some evidence-based strategies which a person can use to reduce the risks of developing Alzheimer's disease as discussed below.

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Biological Strategy

Blood Pressure Control

Blood pressure control helps in reducing an individual's risk of developing Alzheimer's and heart disease. According to National Institute on Aging (NIH) (2018), NASEM committee of experts argue that management of high blood pressure especially for the individuals of the middle age can help in delaying or in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease since it controls memory loss which tends to accompany the disease. Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial-Memory and Cognition in Decreased Hypertension "PRINT MIND" clinical trial found that reducing systolic blood pressure to less than 120mmHg in comparison to targets of less than 140mmHg cannot significantly lower dementia risk (NIH, 2018). The participants of the study were adults of 50 years and above and had a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases with no history of diabetes or stroke (NIH, 2018). The intensive lowering of blood pressure helps in reducing (mild cognitive impairment) MCI risks significantly which is a significant precursor of the Alzheimer's disease in all the participants.

A study conducted on the relationship between controlling blood pressure and memory loss found that individuals whose blood pressure reduced to 120 have a 20% less risk of developing the MCI (Skoog & Gustafson, 2006). Once an individual gets diagnosed with MCI, their chances of suffering from dementia often go up since MCI tends to precede Alzheimer's disease. The management and the reduction of high blood pressure are usually achieved through the use of low sodium diet or antihypertensive medications. This clearly shows that lifestyle interventions have significant impacts when it comes to lowering mental declines which result from memory loss and dementia(Mayo Clinic, n.d ). It is, therefore, essential that individuals control high blood pressure to help them in lowering the risks of suffering from some severe health issues like Alzheimer's disease.

Cognitive Strategy

Cognitive Training

Brain or cognitive training often involves activities associated with challenging an individual's mind, for instance; bespoke computer games, Sudoku puzzles and crosswords. These activities have been structured and designed to improve reasoning, speed of processing and memory. For example, computer-based training can help slow or delay cognitive decline associated with age and increased age is a significant risk of Alzheimer's disease (Williams et al., 2010). Cognitive training helps in improving the types of cognitions an individual is trained on. For instance, older individuals receiving 10 hours of practice structured to improve their accuracy and speed while responding to some pictures presented to them briefly on the computer screens are found to get better and faster at this particular task and any other task whereby enhanced processing speed is very vital(Williams et al., 2010). Similarly, older individuals receiving several instruction hours on effective and efficient memory strategies were found to have some improved memories while using those specific strategies. The concept behind cognitive training is "use it or lose it" meaning that the more an individual challenges their brain, the lower risks they have of developing cognitive impairments or the Alzheimer's disease in their later lives.

Findings from observational studies whereby researchers observed the behaviours of some individuals without influencing or changing it are; the activities involved in informal cognition stimulation like playing games or reading lowers individual's risks of developing Alzheimer's disease and other related cognitive impairments like dementia. For instance, a study on about 2000 adults with normal cognitive abilities those aged 70 and above found that taking part in crafts, games, computer use, as well as engaging in social activities for about four years is associated with a reduced risk of MCI(Williams et al., 2010). Some of these activities help in the protection of a person's brain through the establishment of the "reserve" which refers to the ability of the brain to carry out its operations effectively even when it gets damaged, or disruption occurs in some of the brain functions. Additionally, such activities help make the brain very adaptable to some mental functions, which allows it to compensate for the decline of other mental functions.

Social Strategy

Increasing Physical Activities

Physical activities are associated with numerous health benefits, for instance; reducing risks of chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes and depression. It also helps in maintaining independence and mobility as well as reducing falls. Although there is no enough evidence showing that exercise reduces the risks of Alzheimer's disease, observational studies done on humans and animals suggest exercise has some benefits to the brain which is the part often affected by the disease (Gronek et al., 2019). Physically active individuals have lower chances of experiencing declined mental functions hence reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease as well as improved thinking among individuals who have vascular cognitive impairments. Increased physical activity has been associated with less Alzheimer's tangles and plaques in the brain and enhanced performance on specific cognitive tests.

Studies by (Williams et al., 2010) suggest that regularly exercising various times within a week for about 30 to 60 minutes can; first, keep reasoning, learning and thinking skills sharp for the healthy individuals. Second, it improves the judgment, memory, thinking and reason skills (cognitive functions) for persons suffering from mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease (Iadecola & Davisson, 2008). Third, it delays the start of Alzheimer's disease for individuals who at risks developing the disease or even slowing the progression of the disease. Regular physical activity helps the brain to keep not only the flow of blood but also increasing all the chemicals necessary for the protection of the mind (Gronek et al., 2019). Additionally, exercising counters some natural reductions in an individual's brain connections that occur as individual ages. It is therefore crucial for an individual to stay physically active since exercises are valuable for the general body wellness and it is often associated with reduced risks of cognitive decline (Gronek et al., 2019). Also, elevated heart rate increases blood flow in the body and brain, which gives additional nourishment to reduce risks of Alzheimer's disease.

Maintaining Proper Diet

Most individuals often wonder if specific foods or diets can help in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. According to research by Pope, Shue & Beck (2003), MIND" diet, the Mediterranean- DASH interventions specifically for the Neurodegenerative Delay, is best to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. It is the eating pattern which goes for the natural plant-based foods and involves the limitation of taking sweets, saturated fats and red meat. The study by Scarmeas et al. (2009) suggests that such type of diet helps in lowering the risks of suffering from Alzheimer's disease by about 53% and that it also slows cognitive declines and improves individual's verbal memory. Older individuals whose diet matches the MIND diet have very sharp brains, just like individuals who are 7.5 years younger (Scarmeas et al., 2009). That is a very substantial difference because delaying the risk of Alzheimer's disease has been found to cut the prevalence as well as the cost of the disease in half.

Conclusion

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease which causes the disintegration or wastage of the brain cells, which leads to the death of the cells. There are some evidence-based strategies which a person can use to reduce their risks of developing Alzheimer's disease-like the biological, cognitive and social strategies. Since Alzheimer's is a complex disease, the best approach which can be applied to reduce or prevent its risk can turn out to be the combination of all the measures. In the meantime, individuals can do various things which aim at keeping their body as well as brain-healthy to lower the risks of Alzheimer's disease.

References

Blank, R. H. (2019). Alzheimer's disease and Other Dementias: An Introduction. In Social & Public Policy of Alzheimer's disease in the United States (pp. 1-26). Palgrave Pivot, Singapore. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-0656-3_1

Dubois, B., Hampel, H., Feldman, H. H., Scheltens, P., Aisen, P., Andrieu, S., ... & Broich, K. (2016). Preclinical Alzheimer's disease: definition, natural history, and diagnostic criteria. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 12(3), 292-323. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6417794/

Gronek, P., Balko, S., Gronek, J., Zajac, A., Maszczyk, A., Celka, R., ... & Yu, F. (2019). Physical Activity and Alzheimer's Disease: A Narrative Review. Aging and Disease, 10(6), 1282.Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6844593/

Iadecola, C., & Davisson, R. L. (2008). Hypertension and cerebrovascular dysfunction. Cell metabolism, 7(6), 476-484.Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550413108000818

Mayo Clinic (n.d). Alzheimer's Disease. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/alzheimers-disease/faq-20057881

National Institute of Aging (2018). Preventing Alhezemir's Disease: What Do We Know? Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/preventing-alzheimers-disease-what-do-we-know

Pope, S. K., Shue, V. M., & Beck, C. (2003). Will a healthy lifestyle help prevent Alzheimer's disease?. Annual review of public health, 24(1), 111-132. Retrieved from https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.24.100901.141015

Scarmeas, N., Luchsinger, J. A., Schupf, N., Brickman, A. M., Cosentino, S., Tang, M. X., & Stern, Y. (2009). Physical activity, diet, and risk of Alzheimer disease. Jama, 302(6), 627-637.Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/articlepdf/184383/joc90075_627_637.pdf

Skoog, I., & Gustafson, D. (2006). Update on hypertension and Alzheimer's disease. Neurological research, 28(6), 605-611.Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/016164106X130506

Williams, J. W., Plassman, B. L., Burke, J., Holsinger, T., & Benjamin, S. (2010). Preventing Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline. Evidence report/technology assessment, 193(1), 1-727.Retrieved from https://www.choiceforum.org/docs/prevent.pdf