Alzheimer's Disease

By: Karla Sprecher, Donna Tait , Elena Turner, Danisia Willock and Matthew Winans

What is it? What causes it?

Definition of Alzheimer’s: • Alzheimer's disease is a

CHRONIC, progressive and degenerative disease of the brain.

• It’s the most common form of dementia.

Etiology of Alzheimer’s• UNKNOWN…• There is a clear and

unmistakable pattern of inheritance within a family

Plaque and Proteins:

Beta-Amyloid Plaque:• Plaque from proteins and

remnants of neurons “clump” and become sticky.

• Plaque develops first in the Hippocampus

• Hippocampus is important in forming and storing short-term memories

Tau Proteins:• Tau proteins in the brain

provide structure for the CNS.

• These proteins become tangled and twisted

• Inhibits transmission between neurons

Plaques and Tangles:

Cortical, Hippocampal Shrinkage and Ventricular Hypertrophy

The healthy brain begins to show changes in structure and function as the plaque and tangles begin to accumulate.

Clinical Manifestations and Stages of AD:

Ranges from MILD-to-SEVERE impairment:

Diagnostic Testing for Alzheimer’s:

How to Diagnose?

• Complete H/P• Mental Status Assessment• Neurological Assessment• MRI – shows atrophy and enlarged ventricles• PET – detects earlier changes in brain• A definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

can be made only through autopsy after death.

What to expect from AD:Between 70 to 90% of people with AD eventually develop behavioral symptoms, including:

Sleeplessness

Wandering and pacing

Aggression

Agitation

Anger

Depression

Hallucinations

Delusions

DRUG Therapy:

Cholinesterase Inhibitors:• Aricept• Exelon

• BOTH improve and stabilize cognitive decline in patients with mild to moderate AD

Antipsychotics and Antidepressants:

• Haldol manages acute episodes of:

• Agitation• Aggressive behavior • Psychosis

• Paxil or Zoloft to treat depression often associated with AD

Nursing Management of AD:

• SAFETY FIRST!!!• Use memory aids like

calendars • Be patient• Avoid agitating

behaviors or excessive noises and distractions

• AVOID chaos and conflict

• Provide good oral care• Prevent aspiration

pneumonia• Good skin care• Elimination patterns

and problems should be addressed: Laxatives for constipation and fiber to promote motility.

Nursing Diagnosis:

• Risk for Injury r/t impaired judgment, possible gait instability, muscle weakness and sensory/perception alterations

• Self-Care deficit r/t memory and neuromuscular impairment

The affects of AD are immeasurable:

• Physiological changes• Emotional decline• Fear• Denial• Anger• Loss of interest• Disorientation• Inability to perform like

they once were able to

• Apraxia• Agnosia• Aphasia• Depression• Incontinence • Immobility• Limb rigidity• DEATH

Alzheimer's Disease

“My father started growing very quiet as Alzheimer's started claiming more of him. The early stages of Alzheimer's are the

hardest because that person is aware that they're losing awareness.”

“And I think that's why my father started growing more and more quiet.”

--Patti Davis, Daughter of President Ronald Reagan

DON’T FORGET…

Each diagnosis of Alzheimer’s directly affects 10 more

individuals due to that 1 persons illness…

It affects everyone around you. It rips your family apart. It will rock you to your very foundation.