Alzheimer’s Disease

Type of psychology: Cognition; memory; psychopathology
Fields of study: Aging; cognitive processes; depression; interpersonal
relations; social perception and cognition; thought
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia. Dementia is the loss
of cognitive and social abilities to the degree that they interfere with activities of daily
living (ADLs). AD is an irreversible and gradual brain disorder known to occur with
aging.
Key concepts
• activities of daily living (ADLs)
• cognitive function
• cognitive impairment
• dementia
• memory loss
• motor function
• neurofibrillary fibers
• plaques
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia are not a normal part of aging. Diseases
that affect the brain such as genetic, immunologic, and vascular abnormalities
cause AD. A defect in connections between the brain’s cells
causes gradual death of brain cells. AD advances progressively, from mild
forgetfulness to a severe loss of mental function. It results in memory loss,
behavior and personality changes, deterioration in thinking abilities, difficulty
speaking (aphasia), declining motor function (apraxia), and difficulty
recognizing objects (agnosia).
Forgetfulness and loss of concentration are early symptoms that may not
be readily identified because they are considered normal signs of aging. Forgetfulness
and loss of concentration may also result from use of drugs or alcohol,
depression, fatigue, grief, physical illness, impaired vision, or hearing
loss. The symptoms of AD usually occur after sixty years of age but may occur
as early as forty. Symptoms often begin with recent memory loss, confusion,
poor judgment, and personality changes. In later stages of AD, ADLs such as
dressing and eating are affected. Eventually, AD sufferers are completely dependent
on others for ADLs. They become so debilitated that they become
bedridden, at which time other physical problems develop. Seizures may occur
late in AD.