Who is alzheimer named for

All of these drugs work by regulating neurotransmitters, the chemicals that transmit messages between neurons. They may help reduce symptoms and help with certain behavioral problems. They are effective for some but not all people and may help only for a limited time. A doctor or specialist will likely perform tests, such as a PET scan or analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, to look for evidence of amyloid plaques and help decide if the treatment is right for the patient.

This process requires an additional study after approval to confirm the anticipated clinical benefit. If the follow-up trial fails to verify clinical benefit, the FDA may withdraw approval of the drug. Results of the phase 4 clinical trial for aducanumab are expected to be available by early Scientists are learning why these symptoms occur and are studying new treatments — drug and nondrug — to manage them.

The demands of day-to-day care, changes in family roles, and decisions about placement in a care facility can be difficult.

NIA supports efforts to evaluate programs, strategies, approaches, and other research to improve the quality of care and life for those living with dementia and their caregivers. Becoming well-informed about the disease is one important long-term strategy. For example, staying physically active provides physical and emotional benefits. Some caregivers have found that joining a support group is a critical lifeline. These support groups enable caregivers to find respite, express concerns, share experiences, get tips, and receive emotional comfort.

Read about this topic in Spanish. Receive weekly tips and resources on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias from NIA's Alzheimers. ADEAR Center staff answer telephone, email, and written requests and make referrals to local and national resources. In Alzheimer's disease, however, the tau protein is abnormal and the microtubule structures collapse. Pathological changes in tau protein, as supporters of the tau theory point out, closely parallel the clinical changes that occur later in AD.

Other researchers have focused on the importance of lifestyle factors, changes in the blood-brain barrier, improper metabolism of metals such as copper or iron or zinc, systemic inflammation, or inflammation-inducing infections with bacteria or fungi as potential pathways to the development of AD. In , AD clinical detection and treatment research took a major step forward when a joint committee of experts reviewed earlier studies and reached a groundbreaking conclusion.

Based on decades of evidence with biomarkers and neuroimaging, the experts on this committee recommended that we redefine what we consider AD.

No longer should it be regarded as simply a clinical syndrome of dementia, but instead it should be understood as a pathological process that develops into a clinical disease over the course of decades. During this period, amyloid accumulation can be demonstrated using advanced neuroimaging techniques or examination of cerebrospinal fluid. In this new model of AD, symptoms begin to appear during the second, mildly symptomatic pre-dementia stage which is called mild cognitive impairment or mild neurocognitive disorder.

During this phase of AD, the pathology continues to progress, but clinical symptoms remain limited. Performance of more complex tasks is affected, but general independence is preserved. Although the number of people with AD continues to increase daily, our time is a brighter era in the history of AD and other dementias. More than a hundred new medications are now being tested and many nonpharmacologic interventions, some of them preventive, are being explored. Back to Expert Advice.

Expert Advice. In November , Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German neurologist, made his first examination of a year-old woman named Auguste Deter who was experiencing problems with memory and language as well as various psychological problems such as disorientation and hallucinations. Auguste Deter died on April 8, Since Dr. Already a print subscriber? Go here to link your subscription. Need help? Visit our Help Center.