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Alzheimer’s disease is a Neurodegenerative disease of the brain tissue that causes progressive and irreversible loss of mental functions including memory. It was first described by German physician Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915).

Leading cause of dementia in the elderly, it affects about 26 million people around the world and probably four times by 2050 . Usually diagnosed after the age of 65, the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease are often confused with the normal aspects of aging and other neurological diseases such as vascular dementia, which made it was under – diagnosed until the 1960s. It is now recognized as one of the most costly diseases in developed economies.

The diagnosis of the disease depends mainly on neuropsychological tests and the detection of cortical atrophy affecting primarily the medial temporal lobe including the hippocampus, areas important for memory. Early symptoms consist of loss of memory (amnesia) manifested initially by minor distractions that increase with the progression of the disease, while older memories are relatively preserved. Neurological subsequently extends to associative frontal cortex and temporo-parietal, resulting in more severe cognitive impairment (confusion, mood and emotion, executive functions and language) up loss of autonomic functions and death. The speed and progress of the disease vary from one individual to another making it difficult to accurate prognosis and life expectancy ranges from 3 to 8 years depending on patient age at diagnosis. The psychological changes induced by disease affecting the basic human qualities and for this reason Alzheimer’s is sometimes described as a disease in which victims suffer the loss of qualities that form the essence of human existence.

The cure for Alzheimer’s disease by a vaccine is feasible, according to studies conducted in animals. Unfortunately, studies in humans have been very disappointing for two reasons. The major side effects (death) were observed. Moreover, the immunotherapy did not prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Also, these approaches are the research and no drug of this type is marketed today.

The idea is not new: in 1999, Dale Schenk, an American researcher, found in the journal Nature a method for getting rid of the disease in mice. By immunizing against peptide A beta transgenic mice that overexpress it comes to preventing the occurrence of deposits in young animals and to limit and even reduce their spread among older individuals.

A first trial of Phase 1 in humans leads to England has the following analysis: 80 patients tolerate well the vaccine and a quarter of them produce many antibodies. A second trial was discontinued due to serious adverse events (meningoencephalitis). The subsequent monitoring of patients who received the vaccine is more mixed: while intracerebral amyloid deposits are less significant, no effect on the intellectual deterioration has been proved

In Spain has a prevalence of 8% among those aged 65 years and 20% among persons octogenarian. Every time we live longer and this leads coupled to our bodies, especially our brains suffer from illnesses that diminish our quality of life dramatically. Alzheimer’s is one of them, although there are early forms of Alzheimer’s usual that arise after age 60. It is a type of dementia that primarily affects the memory, especially the recent.

Importantly, although there are memory exercises that are going very well to exercise the brain and has proven that food also help this vital organ and unknown remains in good shape for as long as possible is unknown the cure of Alzheimer’s. You can find out more or less the reasons that cause it and what factors make the development there is even advanced enough to fight drugs but they are the ultimate solution.

Alzheimer’s, like most chronic diseases afflicting the human being, is the joint result of genetic, environmental and lifestyle. Alzheimer lesions are initiated, on average, around age 50 though symptoms will not appear in most cases to 20 or 30 years later.

Who inherits his father or his mother a gene predisposed to suffer from this disease will be taken to bring about healthy lifestyle. The diet is essential, there is a very dangerous connection between high cholesterol and Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s gets along very well with diabetes if your body regulates glucose poorly, the key to diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease favors, do not give respite to their hyperglycemia. In case of having hypertension, we must be very strict with the prescription.

Moving the body is essential. Aerobic exercise that involves a daily walk and increases the risk combat cerebral atrophy is a consequence of aging. Nor should we forget the “move” the brain. You have to learn something new every day and keep the rich intellectual activity. We now know that watching TV is not a very beneficial activity for the brain, in contrast, are very positive reading, building puzzles, playing cards or boards, such as chess, listening to radio, make handicrafts and museums to follow closely the explanation tour. Consoles that offer memory tasks have not been ruled out and are usually pretty fun.