Brain Robber And New Treatments For AlzheimerÆS Disease

Neuropsychologists are trained to assess Alzheimer's disease and make differential diagnosis, especially differentiating between Major Depression and AD. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is the lead agency for AD research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Thousands of scientists, voluntary organizations and health care professionals are studying AD so that they can find ways to manage, treat and one day prevent this horrendous disease.AD attacks the brain's neurons which are vital in producing the brain chemical or neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, associated with memory and learning. Two types of abnormal lesions clog the brains of Alzheimer's: Beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.Current therapies target cholinergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission and decrease symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe AD; however, there is no evidence of disease-modifying effects. Researchers are studying extensively the Brain and the functions of the Lobes, so that they can find medications to target specific problem areas of the Brain. Of great importance is to arrest the progression of AD.This book provides up-to-date reviews of the current knowledge regarding diagnosis of AD and neuropsychological tests to assess AD at different stages of progression of the disease, prevention strategies and techniques to improve cognition and memory. Those working in the areas of Alzheimer's disease and dementia will find this book of interest, including physicians, medical students, psychologists, scientists, graduate students and allied health professionals, including nurses, social workers and therapists.