Application: The Pathophysiology of
Alzheimer’s disease
NURS - 6501N – 3- Advanced Pathophysiology
Oludotun Peters
Walden University
August 4, 2016 1 The Pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s
disease
The plagues are insoluble deposits of proteins and cellular
materials.
Found outside and around the neurons.
Made of beta-amyloid, protein fragment from amyloid
precursor protein.
The fragments clump together with other neurons,
molecules and non-nerve cells.
In AD, plaques develop in hippocampus and this hampers
thinking and decision making.
The plaques begin to form in the brains as early as in the
fifth decade of life.
2 ….Continued
Tangles also build up inside the nerve cells.
The plaques and tangles built in old people’s brains
(Murray, 2012).
Are in great number among the people with AD.
The cloning of genes, sequence of amino acids and the
chemical characterization of amyloid proteins are recent
advances (Lu & Bludau, 2011). 3 Alzheimer In Normal Aging
Alzheimer disease is associated both in normal aging
and also as a disorder among the aged.
The disease is pronounce among the old people than
among young.
There is need for differentiation between a disorder
disease among the very old people and the Alzheimer
disease in an old person.
More than 45% of non-demented elderly would meet
NIA-RI criteria for AD had the elderly people
demented.
4 Gender, Age and Genetics effects
Main risk factor of AD is old age.
The risk of developing AD for the elderly can be
partially assessed based on the ApoE genotype
(Murray, 2012).
Old age with no clinical dementia is associated
with the loss of synapses and neurons.
Old age results to overall reduction in the weight
of the brain.
Alzheimer is associated with the genetics of an
individual.
5 Symptoms of Alzheimer
The placement of important items in odd places.
Forgetting the names of the family members and very
common objects.
Substituting words with inappropriate ones.
Frequent forget entire conversation
Dressing regardless of the weather.
Inability to follow the precise recipe directions
Can no longer manage check books, solve problems,
and balance figures.
6 Alzheimer Diagnosis
Neurological and physical exam include cognitive test in
order to asses orientation, processing speed of
information, attention span and mood (Curran & Wattis,
2012).
Brain image and blood test in order to rule out other
medical causes
Looking for the significant memory problems
The decline severe enough to interfere with relationships
and even work performance goes down (Mayeux &
Christen, 2010).
7 Alzheimer’s Mind Map
Blood
pressure Visuospatial
dysfunction Clinical
Presentation Risk factors
Alzheimer Behavioural
Change Diabetes Obesity Diagnosis Biopsy
Thorough history
of symptoms Physical &
neurological exam Associated
tests 8 REFERENCES
Curran, S., & Wattis, J. (2012). Practical management of
dementia: A multi-professional approach. Abingdon:
Radcliffe Medical.
Lu, L. C., & Bludau, J. H. M. D. (2011). Alzheimer's
Disease. Westport: ABC-CLIO.
Mayeux, R., & Christen, Y. (2010). Epidemiology of
Alzheimer's Disease: From Gene to Prevention. Berlin,
Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Murray, F. (2012). Minimizing the risk of Alzheimer's
disease.
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