The Basics/Impact
This term is defined by the Alzheimer's Association as "a general term for symptoms like decline in memory, reasoning or other thinking skills"
What is Dementia?
Alzheimer's is only a genetic condition
False!
- Probable: genetically inherited; specific genes are passed down through your family
- Possible:not genetically inherited; can be caused by other diseases or aging
This is the symptom most commonly associated with Alzheimer's/Dementia
What is memory loss?
This civil rights leader, known for refusing to give up her seat on a bus, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in the early 2000s.
Who is Rosa Parks?
Alzheimer's is the 7th leading _____ in the United States.
What is cause of death
This brain disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases and is caused by brain changes caused by cell damage
What is Alzheimer's?
Alzheimers means life is over.
False! Those with Alzheimer's can still live meaningful lives after diagnosis if supported by friends/family and medical professionals
This symptom includes poorly managing money, bad hygiene, and doing unsafe things
What is poor judgment?
This actor, known for his role in the MCU, took a break from Hollywood when he found out both of his parents had the APOE4 gene, putting him at a high risk for Alzheimer's.
Who is Chris Hemsworth?
What percentage of people in the United States with Alzheimer's are female?
What is 2/3, or 66%?
- Women tend to live longer, meaning more time for them to get sick
- Women have stronger immune systems, which causes them to develop more amyloid plaques (a component of Alzheimer's)
This is the root cause of Alzheimer's.
What is "plaque" (amyloid protein) build-up?
Alzheimer's has cures and/or treatments
True! While there are no cures for Alzheimer's/Dementia, there are treatments for it:
- Cholinesterase inhibitors: boost cell communication
- Lecanemab-irmb (Leqembi): slows symptoms
This symptom is also an emotion one without Alzheimer's/Dementia may experience on a daily basis
What is confusion?
This controversial 1980s president announced his Alzheimer's disease in 1994 to raise awareness for the condition
Who is Ronald Reagan?
When factual memories start to fade, the brain resorts to this method, which, for example, can cause them to think a dead parent is alive or a spouse is a stranger.
What is creating false memories?
Name one of the common (and deadly) diseases Alzheimer's can lead to
What is Aspiration Pneumonia, Sepsis, and/or Heart Failure?
Alzheimer's is commonly confused with Schizophrenia.
True!
Certain Alzheimer's symptoms can be mistaken for Schizophrenia:
- Fear of mirrors: Alzheimer's patients can forget who they are and what they look like, thus they won't recognize themselves.
- Delusions/hallucinations/disorganized thinking: Alzheimer's patients can experience these symptoms as a result of progressive brain damage.
- Development in early life: because Alzheimer's is usually associated with people 60+, early onset can occur as early as 30 years old.
This relatively common condition can worsen Alzheimer's and cause heart disease by restricting blood flow and increasing plaque buildup.
What is hypertension/high blood pressure?
This actor, known for his role as a famous spy, passed peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with Dementia.
Who is Sean Connery?
As the disease progresses, Alzheimer's patients may exhibit ____, commonly characterized by its child-like tendencies (dependency, emotional outbursts, an extreme sweet tooth, etc)
What is retrogenesis?