The brain tissue in Alzheimer’s patients has a specific pattern of degeneration marked by senile plaques and neurofibullary tangles.

There is also a loss of neurons in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and subcortical structures, such as the locus caeruleus and nucleus raphe dorsalis.An increase in beta-amyloid proteins is thought to contribute to the disease as well. This increase is pararlleled with a marked decrease in brain neurotransmitters, with acetylcholine being affected the greatest.

The distinct cause of Alzheimer’s Disease is not completely known. There is a familiar pattern in 15-20% of the cases. For the other 80-85% of cases there are several causal relationships.

A genetic etiology is suspected in some individuals, due to findings of an increase in certain proteins in the brain that are coded for specific chromosomes.

The most significant findings are with the protein apolipoprotein E. Certain forms of the protein (e4-type) are linked with greater incidence, while one form (e2-type) is associated with a more protective effect. Environmental factors are also suspected to play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease with specific attention to heavy metal toxicity, oxidative damage, and abnormal hormone metabolism.

Alzheimer’s disease has been called the “disease of the 20th century,” with four million Americans currently affected. The disease affects women twice as much as men, and it is not yet known if female sex is a risk factor. The disease usually strikes individuals over the age of 60, yet 2-7% of cases is early onset and is related to a genetic mutation (Downs Syndrome).

The incidence of developing the disease also increases with age.

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