Alzheimer's and Dementia: Can we defeat memory?

Dementia , mainly in the form of Alzheimer's, affects the lives of millions of people. Symptoms, such as memory loss and changes in behavior, disrupt the daily lives of both the patient and their loved ones. Let's explore together the characteristics of Alzheimer's, its causes and ways to treat it.

1. What is Alzheimer's?
2. Prevention
3. Treatment
4. Conclusion

What is Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer 's is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of cholinergic neurons in specific areas of the brain (cortex, hippocampus), resulting in characteristic disturbances in brain function. Cholinergic neurons are a type of nerve cell that uses choline as a neurotransmitter. Choline is the substance that allows nerves to communicate with each other. These neurons play a critical role in many cognitive functions, such as memory, learning, and attention.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and the most widespread disorder of its kind, as in 2006 alone, approximately 26,6 million people worldwide were affected, while it is estimated that by 2050, 1 in 85 people worldwide will have the disease. It mainly affects older people, but it can also occur in younger people. It is a disease that has no cure and if we suffer from it, in addition to appropriate medication, we need continuous care and support from another person, usually a relative.

Alzheimer's consists of 4 stages:

First stage (pre-dementia): memory loss, inability to assimilate new information, and apathy that initially appear to be due to old age.
Second stage (early dementia): Pre-dementia symptoms intensify and vocabulary and communication with the environment decreases.
Third stage (moderate dementia): Progressive deterioration with a decrease in individual independence, difficulty in thinking and expression, outbursts of violence and aggression, hallucinations and urinary incontinence.
Fourth stage (advanced dementia): Dramatic reduction of communication with the environment, escalation of aggressive attitude and apathy, but also complete dependence on the caregiver. The final stage is fixation on the bed. Death usually results from exogenous factors such as severe respiratory infections.

The disease has a different course in each person but the main symptom is memory loss mainly regarding recent events. Other symptoms that appear over time are:

Confusion

Irritability and aggression

Mood swings

Language difficulty

Alienation from people

Long-term total loss memory

Blood tests, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing, behavioral tests, cognitive tests and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used for diagnosis.

Prevention

The drugs and treatments used for Alzheimer's are not aimed at eliminating the disease or reversing brain damage, but at relieving the symptoms it causes (symptomatic management). Although it is not completely cured, it seems that adopting a certain lifestyle could help prevent its occurrence.

Nutrition : A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruits and vegetables, and low in processed carbohydrates, hydrogenated fats, alcohol, salt and sugar helps with clarity and proper brain function and reduces the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Ω3 fatty acids: They are found in fatty fish (salmon, sardines), walnuts, flaxseed. Assist in reducing inflammation, improving communication between neurons and enhancing memory.
Antioxidants: Rich sources are berries (strawberries, blueberries), green leafy vegetables (spinach, lettuce), nuts and legumes. They contribute in protecting brain cells from damage caused by free radicals, slowing brain aging and reducing oxidative stress.
B vitamins: They are found in whole grains, legumes, eggs, dairy products. Assist in converting food into energy for the brain, synthesizing neurotransmitters and improving mood.
Vitamin E: Rich sources are vegetable oils (olive oil), nuts, seeds and green leafy vegetables. It contributes in protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage and improving blood circulation in the brain.
Magnesium: Found in nuts, seeds, legumes, green leafy vegetables. Ryit stimulates neurotransmission, participates in the reduction of anxiety and the prevention of migraine.
Refined carbohydrates, hydrogenated fats, alcohol, salt and sugar: A diet rich in these components is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and insulin resistance, which can damage brain cells and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Physical exercise: mild physical exercise improves blood flow to the brain and reduces the chances of developing diseases related to memory disorders thus promoting oxygenation and nourishment of brain cells. This has the effect of enhancing cognitive functions, as well as preventing diseases related to memory disorders, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, regular gentle exercise, such as walking or yoga, helps reduce stress and improve mental health, while boosting overall cardiovascular health.

Food supplements:

Antioxidants such as vitamin C, E and resveratrol: They combat the oxidative stress that has been identified in Alzheimer's patients. In particular, the daily intake of resveratrol has been shown to significantly delay the progression of the disease due to its strong antioxidant properties.

Vitamin D3: Research has shown that people with low levels Vitamin D3 are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's. D3 contributes to the protection of neurons, while simultaneously enhancing the immune response and maintaining vascular health, helping to regulate inflammation and prevent brain cell degeneration.

Ginkgo biloba: Herb that improves microcirculation and appears to enhance memory and slow disease progression. Despite this, opinions on its effectiveness and safety differ, so its systematic use is not recommended.

Vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid: They contribute to the proper functioning of the nerves and reduce the levels of homocysteine in the blood which, in large quantities, can damage blood vessels, thus increasing the risk of causing dementia and Alzheimer's. Homocysteine tends to increase with age, so older people are more at risk.

Curcumin: Its active ingredient turmeric, curcumin, is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some research suggests that it may reduce the build-up of amyloid plaque in the brain, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Acetyl-L-carnitine (Acetyl-L-Carnitine): Amino acid thought to boost cognitive function, energy and nerve health, helping to preserve memory and delay cognitive decline.

Vitamin B3: H B 3 or else niacin (vitamin B3) is a vitamin of the B complex, which participates in many important biological processes in the body. Some studies have shown that niacin can help with reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, two factors associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Research has also been done on niacin's ability to protect neurons from damage caused by the disease.

Choline: Choline is a vitamin essential for the synthesis of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory, learning and other cognitive functions. The beta-amyloid protein is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's. There is evidence that choline may help reduce the production or speed up the removal of beta-amyloid protein from the brain.

Omega-3 fatty acids: The omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids essential for proper brain function and have been linked to a number of health benefits. Omega-3s help create new neurons and improve communication between nerve cells, which are critical for cognitive function. Chronic inflammation in the brain is considered one of the main factors leading to the development of Alzheimer's. Omega-3s have strong anti-inflammatory properties. They also help protect nerve cells from damage caused by free radicals.

The A-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that plays an important role in cell energy and has been studied for its potential properties in the treatment of various diseases, including Alzheimer's. About his illness Alzheimer, α-lipoic acid has attracted the interest of researchers due to its ability to:

It reduces oxidative stress: Oxidative stress is a process that damages cells, and is believed to contribute to the neurodegeneration seen in Alzheimer's disease. α-Lipoic acid can reduce oxidative stress, protecting nerve cells.
It supports the function of mitochondria: Mitochondrial dysfunctions are also associated with disease progression. α-Lipoic acid can improve mitochondrial health and energy efficiency of cells.
Reduction of inflammation: Chronic inflammation has been linked to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. α-Lipoic acid appears to have anti-inflammatory properties that may be useful in Alzheimer's disease.
Possible improvement of cognitive functions: Some small-scale studies have shown that giving alpha-lipoic acid can slow the progression of mental decline in people with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.

Treatment

Pharmacological interventions in Alzheimer's disease are palliative and offer temporary relief by slowing the progression of symptoms. The most well-known treatments are based on two main classes of drugs aimed at maintaining cognitive function and improving our quality of life:

Reversible acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors: Medicines used to treat the mild to moderate form of the disease. Their goal is to increase the levels of acetylcholine in the brain, a neurotransmitter involved in communication between neurons. Medicines in this class include donezepil, galantamine, rivastigmine and tacrine. Although they offer only modest improvement, they manage to slow the rate of cognitive function loss and help patients maintain their daily activities for a longer period of time. However, they may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

NMDA receptor antagonists: Memantine, the main representative of this class, is mainly used in patients with moderate to severe disease. It acts as an antagonist at NMDA receptors, reducing the overstimulation of these receptors by glutamine, which can lead to cell damage and neuronal death. Although memantine does not stop the degeneration of neurons, it helps reduce the rate of memory loss and better manage patients' behavior. In addition, it is a well-tolerated drug with relatively few side effects, which include confusion, agitation, and restlessness.

Despite the benefits of these drugs, pharmacological interventions remain limited in the management of the disease, and researchers continue to search for new treatments that could slow or even halt the progression of the neurodegenerative process that characterizes Alzheimer's.

Conclusion

Alzheimer's disease, although a significant challenge, is not a hopeless situation. Through research and adopting a healthy lifestyle, we can significantly improve our quality of life. Diet plays a key role in brain health. Combined with regular exercise, adequate sleep and mental stimulation, we can create a strong foundation to protect our brain health.