ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: PATHOGENESIS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTDevashish Mehta*, Amar Goyal, Kuldeep K. Sharma.

devashishmehta7754@gmail.com

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASEINTRODUCTIONAlzheimer's disease is a

neurodegenerative brain disorder.It is the most common form of dementia.It usually starts in late middle age or in

old age(above 65years).It is characterized by progressive

memory loss.Formation of Neurofibrillary tangles and

plaques containing beta-amyloid cells.

CAUSES OF ADIncreasing ageHistory of a head injuryRisk factors for blood vessel

disease such as smokingHeredityObesityHigh blood pressureHigh cholesterol

Signs and SymptomsAt early stages of AD :Impairment in MemoryAphasiaApraxiaAgnosiaMood changesLoss of spontaneity and

initiative

At progressive AD:Increasing short-term

memory loss and confusionFeelings of restlessnessLoss of appetitePersonality changes

Stages of ADStage 1: NormalStage 2: Normal aged forgetfulnessStage 3: Mild cognitive impairmentStage 4: Mild Alzheimer’sStage 5: Moderate Alzheimer’s

diseaseStage 6: Moderately severe

Alzheimer’s diseaseStage 7: Severe Alzheimer’s disease

PATHOGENSIS

PathophysiologyR.O.S.( Reactive oxygen species)

generation.Deposition of Amyloid β( Aβ42)Hyperphosphorylation of Tau

ProteinNeurofibrillary Tangles (NFT)

FormationInflammation

Healthy Brain vs AD Brain

DIAGNOSIS OF AD• Psychiatric assessments. • Mental status examination and

neuro psychological assessment. • Laboratory tests. • Brain imaging : CT scan, MRI • CSF Examination • Electro-encephalogram (EEG)

TREATMENT STRATGIESNon – Pharmacological

Meditation YOGA Panchkarma

Pharmacological Allopathic Ayurvedic

Allopathic TreatmentCholinesterase inhibitor( eg.-

Donepezil, Galantamine, Tacrine)HMG Co A reductase

inhibitor(eg.- Simvastatin, Atorvastatin, Lovastatin)

Non- Statin Hypolipidaemics (eg.- Probucol)

NMDA receptor antagonist

Ayurvedic TreatmentBrahmi VatiShunkhpushpiJatamansiBadam