Alzheimer's
Causes
Effects
Cellular Death (Apoptosis)
Cellular Abnormalities
Toxic protein buildup
G-Protein System (most common method of human cell signaling)
beta-amyloid
Tau
highly abundant in neurons and CNS and plays role in stabilizing microtubules
beta-amyloid precursor vital for neural repair and growth
leaves cell membrane as a free peptide (when peptide is not full length) and changes shape becoming a long fiber
fibers build up as plaques on and around neurons disturbing normal function
Genetic Predispositions
Early Onset Alzheimer's(almost always hereditary)
Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Gene Mutations (responsible for APP breakdown which is invovled in a process that creates amyloid plaques)
Chromosome 21 mutation causes abnormal amyloid precursor protein to form
Chromosome 1 defect leads to abnormal presenilin 2(processes amyloid precursor protein) formation
leads to increased formation of all beta-amyloid proteins
Chromosome 14 defect allows for abnormal presenilin 1 mutations
increases beta-amyloid protein 42 production
increases beta-amyloid protein 42 production
Body Systems
Neuromuscular System
Central Nervous System
Digestive System
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Chromsome 19 - specific allele of apolipoprotein gene (APOE ε4) increases risk later in life
tau is bound to microtubules which are the tracks for cell signaling throughout a cell
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Alzheimer's disrupts microtubuless and tau breaks free forming tangles
these tangles form in areas of brain essential for memory
Swallowing difficulties
Food and liquid can enter into the airways
Can lead to pneumonia which is a huge cause of death in people with Alzheimer's
bowel control
loss of taste and smell
decrease in overall muscular function
may loose ability to walk and sit upright
brain function
brain activity declines and brain atrophys
emotions, memory, learning, and communication are all adversely effected