The Incurable Alzheimer’s Disease

Angela Sandoval

Salt Lake Community College

Abstract

My grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. Research says that the disease

is genetic, so I would like to learn more about it. In Section one, I will give background

information on how cell communication works in the brain and what Alzheimer’s disease does to

stop cell communication, eventually causing Alzheimer’s disease. In Section two, I will talk

about Dr. Alois Alzheimer and his discovery of Alzheimer’s in his patient Auguste Deter.

Finally, in Section three, I will explain current research that is being conducted on Cholinesterase

inhibitor, which is the most effective way to slow down Alzheimer's disease. This drug only

slowdowns the disease for the meantime, but it could also lead to a cure for the disease.

Section One

Inside the human brain there are about one hundred billion nerve cells. Each one of the

cells connect with each other, and they do this to form communication networks amongst each

other. The nerve cells form into groups, and each group has a certain job. The jobs they are

associated with are thinking, learning, remembering, seeing, hearing, and smelling. They must all

work together to make sure the brain is working properly.

To make sure the brain is operating functionally, they must operate to keep the cell

communication process functioning. Together, they receive supplies, create energy, build

equipment, and dispense any waste. The cells inside our brain can also process and store

information, while communicating with other cells. To keep these cells working a large amount

of energy and oxygen is required, as well as coordination.

The scientists that have researched Alzheimer’s disease believe that this disease stops the

cells from functioning. However, they still have not pinpointed the exact place where the
The Incurable Alzheimer’s Disease 2

problem starts. If problems arise in one area of the cell, then problems will also arise in other

parts of the cell. The cell relies on each part to do its jobs to continue operating. If one section

fails, then the other areas can’t do their jobs as well, which then leads to the whole cell shutting

down. If one section of the cell stops operating, eventually the other parts will stop operating as

well. When this damage happens in a cell, it dies off. When the cell dies it causes irreversible

damage to the brain.

When the cell begins to get damaged and eventually dies, two abnormal structures are

happening in the brain. These are called plaques and tangles, which are the main suspects that

cause the damage and killing of cell nerves. Plaques are deposits of a protein fragment called

beta-amyloid that build up in the spaces between nerve cells (Alzheimer’s Association 2016) and

Tangles are twisted fibers of another protein called tau that build up inside cells (Alzheimer’s

Association 2016). Autopsies studies show that most people develop some plaques and tangles as

they age which is normal. However, the autopsies they studied of people who were already

diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease showed that they receive more plaques and Tangles. The

rate they receive them is also higher and more predictable than those who haven’t been

diagnosed with the disease. Scientists still aren’t exactly certain what plaques and tangles do in

the brain. Most experts think that they block communication in the nerve cells, which disrupts

the process the cells need to live.

It’s the damage cause to the cells that lead them to die. This results in memory lost,

personality changes, problems with motor skills, and many other symptoms that come with

Alzheimer’s disease.
The Incurable Alzheimer’s Disease 3

Section Two

In 1901, Auguste Deter went to her doctor to complain that she had lost herself. Deter

explained to her doctor that she was trying to write her own name, but every time she wrote

“Mrs.” down, she would forget the rest. The doctor then checked her into the hospital, on her

second day there, her doctor asked her what she was eating; while she ate cauliflower and pork,

she told her doctor, “spinach.” Nothing was discovered about Auguste Deter’s Condition until

she died 5 years later, in 1906. After her death there was an autopsy done, which revealed that

her brain had many strange tangles and plaques of fibrous material, which contained dead brain

cells. Auguste Deter was the first documented case of Alzheimer’s disease, discovered by Alois

Alzheimer.

Before her death Alzheimer studied Auguste Deter’s brain thoroughly. When examining

her brain, Dr. Alois used Bielschowsky’s silver impregnation staining technique. He also used

the most powerful microscopes available at the time. After his findings, he shared his discovery

with two other doctors, who examined the samples as well. All three scientist agreed that it was

an extremely unusual discovery. They then discovered that the sample was very similar to

dementia samples taken from brains of 70 and 80-year-olds. They noticed that the specimen

taken from Deter had more marked lesions than those taken from the senior citizens. They also

found it strange that Deter was only 51 when the disease occurred.

Dr. Alzheimer’s research was published in 1907, however his findings weren’t confirmed

until ninety years later. In 1997, the Institute of Neuropathology of the University of Munich was

able to confirm his research. Unfortunately, there still isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
The Incurable Alzheimer’s Disease 4

Section 3

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, scientists are still researching-attempting to find one.

There isn’t a cure however there are many treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. The treatments

vary in how they help with the disease. Some treatments help with slowing down the disease,

others lessen the chance of the disease, and others ease certain symptoms of the disease. There

are many treatments known in the medical field, however there is one that seems to be the most

popular to help slow down the disease once diagnosed. Cholinesterase Inhibitors are known to be

the most effective way to help slow down Alzheimer’s in the early to moderate stage of the

disease. There have been many research groups that have taken this drug and were able to see

symptoms of Alzheimer's reversed. For example, it helped certain patients remember short term

occasions. This was something they weren’t able to do before because the disease was already

starting to affect them.

Cholinesterase inhibitors help prevent the cell from dying off. In section one, it was

described how the cell communicates and what Alzheimer’s disease does to prevent that

communication. The cholinesterase inhibitors act as protection for the cell. Before the plaques

and tangles can get to the cell to end communication, the drug comes and helps shield the cell, so

communication can continue. The drug is effective if the disease is caught early to help it slow

down. However, it hasn’t been effective enough to completely wipe out Alzheimer’s disease.

The treatment helps to buy more time, hopefully enough to find a cure. For now, scientist

are still conducting the necessary research to find a cure. The past few years the research funding

has gone up, which means there is more research that can be done.
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Reference section:

Association, A. (2016). What Is Alzheimer's? Retrieved October 20, 2018, from

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers

Daiello, L. (2010). Cholinesterase inhibitor treatment effects in drivers with Alzheimer's

disease. Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update, 14(8), 4-4. Retrieved October

31, 2018, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/.

Martinez Lage, J. M. (2006). 100 years of Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Alzheimer's

Disease, 9(3), 15-26. Retrieved October 28, 2018, from http://www.iospress.nl