Alzheimer’s Disease

In News 

• An experimental Alzheimer’s drug aimed at slowing or preventing cognitive decline in people at risk of developing the disease early has failed in clinical trials.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

• It is the most common type of dementia.
• Discovery:
  • The disease was discovered after Dr Alios Alzheimer examined a memory-loss patient’s brain after her death in 1906 and found abnormal clumps (beta-amyloid plaque) and bundles of fibres (neurofibrillary tangles). 
• It is a progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss and possibly leading to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment.
• It involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.
• It can seriously affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.

What is the India scenario?

• In India, only 1 in 10 people with dementia receive any diagnosis, treatment or care for the disease, according to the World Alzheimer’s Report, 2021. 

Treatment 

• There is currently no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment addresses several areas:
  • Helping people maintain brain health.
  • Managing behavioural symptoms.
  • Slowing or delaying symptoms of the disease.

Source: IE