Alzheimer’s Disease – Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors

Since the changes in the brain that occur in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are known to develop years before symptoms present themselves, it is critical to identify signs of Alzheimer’s early on in order to try and discover interventions that may be beneficial. Some symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease may be difficult to detect at first because changes in thinking skills, such as forgetfulness or an occasional loss of focus, also occur in normal aging. However, with Alzheimer’s Disease, symptoms progress to interfere with everyday functioning.

Here are some early warning signs and potential symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease:

1. Planning and Managing Problems: Have you or a loved one noticed that routine tasks, such as paying bills or writing a to-do list, have become difficult?
2. Speaking and Writing: Do you or a loved one have trouble expressing your thoughts, or do you find it difficult to find the right words to identify objects? Do you have trouble reading or writing?
3. Confusion with Time or Place: Do you or a loved one lose track of dates, time or even seasons? Do you ever find yourself forgetting where you are or how you got there?
4. Misplacing Items: Do you or a loved one misplace things, finding it difficult to retrace your steps in order to find the missing item? Do you ever accuse others of stealing your personal belongings?
5. Changes in Mood, Personality or Behavior: Do you or a loved one find yourself feeling confused, depressed, anxious or fearful? When you feel out of your comfort zone, do you find yourself becoming more easily upset? Do you wander? Do you have a change in your sleeping habits?

In Alzheimer’s Disease, brain cells are affected by neurofibrillary plaques and tangles, which cause cell death and interfere with brain activity. The downstream results are a decline in thinking skills and behavior. The rate at which these changes occur varies from one individual to another.

Symptoms of memory loss or other changes in thinking skills or personality should not be taken lightly.  The best course of action is to seek an evaluation to determine the cause and course of action for managing symptoms.

If you or a loved one is concerned about such symptoms, or has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, and are interested in learning more about clinical research, please visit http://www.thecrcnj.com/CurrentStudies.html.