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NINDS Disorders is an index of neurological conditions provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This valuable tool offers detailed descriptions, facts on treatment and prognosis, and patient organization contact information for over 500 identified neurological disorders.
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Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related, non-reversible brain disorder that develops over a period of years. Initially, people experience memory loss and confusion, which may be mistaken for the kinds of memory changes that are sometimes associated with normal aging. However, the symptoms of AD gradually lead to behavior and personality changes, a decline in cognitive abilities such as decision-making and language skills, and problems recognizing family and friends. AD ultimately leads to a severe loss of mental function. These losses are related to the worsening breakdown of the connections between certain neurons in the brain and their eventual death. AD is one of a group of disorders called dementias that are characterized by cognitive and behavioral problems. It is the most common cause of dementia among people age 65 and older.There are three major hallmarks in the brain that are associated with the disease processes of AD.Amyloid plaques, which are made up of fragments of a protein called beta-amyloid peptide mixed with a collection of additional proteins, remnants of neurons, and bits and pieces of other nerve cells.Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), found inside neurons, are abnormal collections of a protein called tau. Normal tau is required for healthy neurons. However, in AD, tau clumps together. As a result, neurons fail to function normally and eventually die.Loss of connections between neurons responsible for memory and learning. Neurons can't survive when they lose their connections to other neurons. As neurons die throughout the brain, the affected regions begin to atrophy, or shrink. By the final stage of AD, damage is widespread and brain tissue has shrunk significantly.
Treatment
Currently there are no medicines that can slow the progression of AD. However, four FDA-approved medications are used to treat AD symptoms. These drugs help individuals carry out the activities of daily living by maintaining thinking, memory, or speaking skills. They can also help with some of the behavioral and personality changes associated with AD. However, they will not stop or reverse AD and appear to help individuals for only a few months to a few years. Donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne) are prescribed to treat mild to moderate AD symptoms. Donepezil was recently approved to treat severe AD as well. The newest AD medication is memantine (Namenda), which is prescribed to treat moderate to severe AD symptoms.
Prognosis
In very few families, people develop AD in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. This is known as "early onset" AD. These individuals have a mutation in one of three different inherited genes that causes the disease to begin at an earlier age. More than 90 percent of AD develops in people older than 65. This form of AD is called "late-onset" AD, and its development and pattern of damage in the brain is similar to that of early-onset AD. The course of this disease varies from person to person, as does the rate of decline. In most people with AD, symptoms first appear after age 65.We don't yet completely understand the causes of late-onset AD, but they probably include genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Although the risk of developing AD increases with age, AD and dementia symptoms are not a part of normal aging. There are also some forms of dementia that aren't related to brain diseases such as AD, but are caused by systemic abnormalities such as metabolic syndrome, in which the combination of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes causes confusion and memory loss.
Research
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) supports basic and translational research related to AD through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Current studies are investigating how the development of beta amyloid plaques damages neurons, and how abnormalities in tau proteins create the characteristic neurofibrillary tangles of AD. Other research is exploring the impact of risk factors associated with the development of AD, such as pre-existing problems with blood flow in the blood vessels of the brain. Most importantly, the NINDS supports a number of studies that are developing and testing new and novel therapies that can relieve the symptoms of AD and potentially lead to a cure.
View a list of studies currently seeking patients.
View more studies on this condition.
Read additional information from Medline Plus.
Organizations
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)
National Institute on Aging
P.O. Box 8250
P.O. Box 8250
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250
Tel: 301-495-3311
800-438-4380
Fax: 301-495-3334
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Tel: 301-443-4513/866-415-8051
301-443-8431 (TTY)
Fax: 301-443-4279
Alzheimer's Association
National voluntary health organization committed to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s and helping those affected by the disease.
225 North Michigan Avenue
Floor 17
Floor 17
Chicago, IL 60601-7633
Tel: 312-335-8700
1-800-272-3900 (24-hour helpline)
TDD: 312-335-5886
Fax: 866.699.1246
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Works to provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia and to their caregivers and families thruogh member organizations dedicated to improving quality of life.
322 Eighth Avenue
7th Floor
7th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Tel: 866-AFA-8484 (232-8484)
Fax: 646-638-1546
Association for Frontotemporal Dementias (AFTD)
Non-profit organization that promotes and funds research into finding the cause and cure for frontotemporal dementias (FTD); provides information, education, and support to those affected by FTD and their caregivers; and sponsors professional health education programs related to FTD.
Radnor Station Building #2
Suite 320
290 King of Prussia Road
290 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Tel: 267-514-7221
866-507-7222
Family Caregiver Alliance/ National Center on Caregiving
Supports and assists families and caregivers of adults with debilitating health conditions. Offers programs and consultation on caregiving issues at local, state, and national levels. Offers free publications and support online, including a national directory of publicly funded caregiver support programs.
180 Montgomery Street
Suite 900
Suite 900
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 415-434-3388
800-445-8106
Fax: 415-434-3508
National Respite Network and Resource Center
Information and referral service that assists and promotes the development of quality respite and crisis care programs; helps families locate respite and crisis care services in their communities; and sponsors advocacy and awareness efforts concerning respite care.
800 Eastowne Drive
Suite 105
Suite 105
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Tel: 919-490-5577 x222
Fax: 919-490-4905
American Health Assistance Foundation
Non-profit charitable organization dedicated to funding research and educating the public on Alzheimer's disease, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
22512 Gateway Center Drive
Clarksburg, MD 20871
Tel: 301-948-3244
800-437-AHAF (2423)
Fax: 301-258-9454
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (formerly, Institute for the Study of Aging)
Public charity whose mission is to accelerate the discovery and development of drugs to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer's disease, related dementias, and cognitive aging.
1414 Avenue of the Americas
Suite 1502
Suite 1502
New York, NY 10019
Tel: 212-935-2402
Fax: 212-935-2408
John Douglas French Alzheimer's Foundation
Generates funds for Alzheimer’s at major California universities research targeted at areas of research typically not supported by Federal agencies. Unsolicited applications and/or letters of inquiry not accepted.
11620 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 270
Suite 270
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Tel: 310-445-4650
Fax: 310-479-0516
Lewy Body Dementia Association
Supports those affected by Lewy body dementias and promotes research for a cure. Sponsors education and outreach programs.
912 Killian Hill Road, S.W.
Lilburn, GA 30047
Tel: Telephone: 404-935-6444
Helpline: 800-539-9767
Fax: 480-422-5434
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. Committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service.
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
Tel: 203-744-0100
Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-798-2291
National Family Caregivers Association
Grassroots organization dedicated to supporting and improving the lives of America's family caregivers. Created to educate, support, empower, and advocate for the millions of Americans who care for their ill, aged, or disabled loved ones.
10400 Connecticut Avenue
Suite 500
Suite 500
Kensington, MD 20895-3944
Tel: 800-896-3650
Fax: 301-942-2302
Well Spouse Association
International non-profit, volunteer-based organization whose mission is to provide emotional support to, raise consciousness about, and advocate for the spouses/partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled.
63 West Main Street
Suite H
Suite H
Freehold, NJ 07728
Tel: 800-838-0879
732-577-8899
Fax: 732-577-8644
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization /Natl. Hospice Foundation
Non-profit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals. Provides free referrals to the public for hospice listings across the United States and internationally. Distributes free packets of general information describing hospice services and the Medicare Hospice Benefit.
1731 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 703-837-1500
Helpline: 800-658-8898
Fax: 703-837-1233