Alzheimers Disease Flashcards
(8 cards)
What is Alzheimers disease?
It is a neurodegenerative disease, meaning it causes gradual damage and loss of brain cells over time. This is a brain disorder that leads to memory loss and other symptoms.
What are the 3 changes in the brain?
- Decreased Brain Size: The brain gets smaller because of the loss of brain cells.
- Cortex Shrinks: The cortex (the outer layer of the brain, important for thinking and memory) shrinks due to a loss of neurons (brain cells).
- Loss of Synapses: Synapses, which are connections between neurons, are also lost, reducing communication between brain cells.
What is a prominent symptom of Alzheimers disease?
MEMORY LOSS
What does AD have to do with hippocampus & memory loss?
The hippocampus, a region important for forming memories, shrinks a lot in Alzheimer’s, leading to severe memory loss, which is a common symptom.
What is the differences with a normal brain?
In the Alzheimer’s brain:
1. The folds in the cortex are more shrunken.
2. The ventricles (fluid-filled spaces) are larger due to tissue loss.
What are the causes?
Combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time
What is the cellular pathology of Alzheimers disease?
In Alzheimer’s, two main problems appear in the neurons:
Neurofibrillary Tangles: These are twisted fibers inside the neuron. They are made up of a protein called tau, which becomes abnormal and clumps together, disrupting the cell’s internal structure.
Amyloid Plaques: These are clumps of protein that build up outside neurons. They are made from a protein called amyloid-beta, which forms sticky clusters that interfere with neuron communication
What is the effect on the brain?
These tangles and plaques damage the neurons, making it harder for them to communicate and function. Over time, this leads to the death of brain cells, which contributes to symptoms like memory loss and confusion in Alzheimer’s disease
