Changes

{{cquote|Kolb & Wishaw (1990) have identified eight principle symptoms of temporal lobe damage: 1) disturbance of auditory sensation and perception, 2) disturbance of selective attention of auditory and visual input, 3) disorders of visual perception, 4) impaired organization and categorization of verbal material, 5) disturbance of language comprehension, 6) impaired long-term memory, 7) altered personality and affective behavior, 8) altered sexual behavior.<ref>http://www.neuroskills.com/tbi/btemporl.shtml</ref>}}

{{cquote|Kolb & Wishaw (1990) have identified eight principle symptoms of temporal lobe damage: 1) disturbance of auditory sensation and perception, 2) disturbance of selective attention of auditory and visual input, 3) disorders of visual perception, 4) impaired organization and categorization of verbal material, 5) disturbance of language comprehension, 6) impaired long-term memory, 7) altered personality and affective behavior, 8) altered sexual behavior.<ref>http://www.neuroskills.com/tbi/btemporl.shtml</ref>}}

 

AD begins slowly. It first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. People with AD may have trouble remembering things that happened recently or names of people they know. Over time, symptoms get worse. People may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on, they may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care. It is possible that AD can spread human to human, as it is a prion disease.  

AD begins slowly. It first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. People with AD may have trouble remembering things that happened recently or names of people they know. Over time, symptoms get worse. People may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on, they may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care.  

[[Image:Odds of Developing Alzheimer's.png|right]]

[[Image:Odds of Developing Alzheimer's.png|right]]

AD usually begins after age 60. The risk goes up as you get older.<ref>Hebert, LE; Scherr, PA; Bienias, JL; Bennett, DA; Evans, DA. “Alzheimer Disease in the U.S. population; Prevalence Estimates Using the 2000 Census.” Archives of Neurology. August 2003; 60 (8): 1119 –1122; National Academy on an Aging Society. “Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: A Growing Challenge.” September, 2000. Graphic used on page 7 of the National Alzheimer's Strategic Plan, March 25, 2009</ref> Your risk is also higher if a family member has had the disease. The incubation period of Alzheimer's is thought to be 40-60 years. This means that you are infected at a young age, but don't show symptoms for a long time. That is why the disease affects the elderly the most.

AD usually begins after age 60. The risk goes up as you get older.<ref>Hebert, LE; Scherr, PA; Bienias, JL; Bennett, DA; Evans, DA. “Alzheimer Disease in the U.S. population; Prevalence Estimates Using the 2000 Census.” Archives of Neurology. August 2003; 60 (8): 1119 –1122; National Academy on an Aging Society. “Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: A Growing Challenge.” September, 2000. Graphic used on page 7 of the National Alzheimer's Strategic Plan, March 25, 2009</ref> Your risk is also higher if a family member has had the disease. The incubation period of AD is thought to be 40-60 years. This means that you are infected at a young age, but don't show symptoms for a long time. That is why the disease affects the elderly the most.

No treatment can stop the disease. However, some drugs may help keep symptoms from getting worse for a limited time.

No treatment can stop the disease. However, some drugs may help keep symptoms from getting worse for a limited time.