The Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Answer

Week 8 Discussion: Case Study A and B

Case Study A: Bill

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

                No specific test exists today confirming that one has Alzheimer’s illness. Hadjichrysanthou, Ower, de Wolf and Anderson (2018) indicates that health practitioners rely on symptoms displayed to judge if one has the condition. Despite this, various tests can be conducted to clarify the diagnosis. Hadjichrysanthou et al. (2018) further note that Alzheimer's disease can be specified with an exact precision after death. After one passes on, a microscopic brain examination can be carried out to unveil the features of the tangles and plaques. However, to differentiate the disease from others resulting in memory loss, doctors rely on some specific tests such as the neurological and physical exam. In this case, aspects such as coordination, reflexes, and muscle tone are examined. Lab tests can also be carried out to understand the fundamental factors resulting in the loss of memory (Hadjichrysanthou et al., 2018). Brain imaging can also be considered for diagnosis to reveal if there are any visible abnormalities noted associated with the memory loss condition other than Alzheimer’s disease such as trauma.

                Drugs, exercise, and nutrition can be considered for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Hadjichrysanthou et al. (2018) suggest that medication such as Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine are effective drugs for treating moderate to severe symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Regular exercise is also crucial for the body since it improves the mood of an individual, hence considered effective in controlling the noticeable signs of the disease. According to Hadjichrysanthou et al. (2018), nutrition is also an important consideration for an individual diagnosed with the illness. Eating a balanced diet aid in the proper functioning of the administered medication

Difference between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

                Alzheimer's disease and dementia are two different conditions.  The former is a common factor resulting in various cases of dementia. Hadjichrysanthou et al. (2018) reiterate this by providing that 50 to 70% of all reported cases of dementia are as a result of the Alzheimer’s disease. On the other hand, dementia is an umbrella word used to categorize symptoms associated with impaired memory and thinking. In most cases, the term is associated with a cognitive failure resulting from the aging process (Hadjichrysanthou, Ower, de Wolf & Anderson, 2018).

Case Study B: Nervous System Disorders

                Parkinson’s disease is an example of a nervous system disorder which impacts movement. Young and Mendoza (2018) note that the symptoms of this condition begin gradually. In some cases, Parkinson's disease starts with an insignificant tremor from one hand which is not easily noticed.

Pathophysiology

                 From a physiological perspective, symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are due to loss in several dopamine neurotransmitters (Young & Mendoza, 2018). With time, the symptoms become worse as more neurotransmitters are affected by the progression of the disease. The neurological condition is continually perceived as a complex neurodegenerative disease with a sequence of progression. The condition first distresses the dorsal motor nucleus and the olfactory bulbs before affecting the locus coeruleus and the substantia nigra respectively. During the later stage of the illness, the cortical regions of the brain are influenced resulting in an impairment of the neuropsychological system and the motor system. 

Inheritance Pattern

                Considering the reported cases of Parkinson's disease within a familial setting, it is evident that the array of inheritance varies based on the altered gene. In cases where the SNCA or the LRRK2 gene is involved, an autosomal dominant pattern will be considered for the inheritance (Hadjichrysanthou et al., 2018). The outlined aspect suggests that a different version of the affected gene in each cell is enough to result to Parkinson’s condition.

Signs and Symptoms

                Parkinson's disease condition is associated with several concerns such as tremor, slowed movement, rigid muscles, impaired balance, loss of automatic movements, writing and speech changes. The signs and symptoms intensify with time.

Diagnosis and Treatment

                No specific tests exist to provide an accurate determination of the Parkinson’s condition. However, the neurologist can rely on physical examination to determine if one is showing any signs and symptoms of the outlined concern. Additionally, a specific single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scan can also be considered to analyze the presented interest. Counteracting the outlined factor, other forms of examinations such as blood and lab tests can also be found to provide an accurate diagnosis by ruling out other conditions which cause the described concern. Ghatak, Trudler, Dolatabadi, and Ambasudhan (2018) indicate that imaging tests have also proven to be useful in diagnosing the presented conditions. Analysis such as CT scans, MRI, and brain ultrasound can be considered to aid in ruling out if a patient is suffering from other concerns.

 Considering treatment, it is a fact that Parkinson's disease cannot be cured but can be controlled through medication. The fact that patients diagnosed with the condition have a low level of dopamine concentrations in the brain suggests that the use of drugs is focused on increasing the outlined value. Medications such carbidopa-levodopa has proven to be effective in the past in improving the level of brain dopamine among patients with the Parkinson's condition. Surgical processes such as deep brain stimulation can also be considered to send electrical pulses to the brain, thus suppressing the noticeable symptoms of the disease (Young & Mendoza, 2018).