Harden Elkington
The healthy human brain has tens of billions of neurons—specialized cells that conduct and transmit information via electrical and chemical signals.
They connect different sections of the brain, as well as the brain to muscles and organs throughout the body. This communication between neurons is disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease, resulting in loss of function and cell death.
In Alzheimer’s disease, abnormal clumps of a protein called amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles form in the spaces between neurons.
It is not clear whether these plaques and tangles are the cause of Alzheimer’s or a result of the disease. However, they do seem to disrupt communication between neurons, leading to the death of brain cells.
The progression of Alzheimer’s disease is slow and gradual. Symptoms may not appear until significant damage has been done to the brain.
In its early stages, the disease may cause only mild memory problems. As it progresses, Alzheimer’s can lead to profound confusion, disorientation, and a decline in physical abilities.
In the final stages, the person may become completely dependent on others for care.
What Does Alzheimer’s Disease Do to the Brain?
Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles form in the spaces between neurons, disrupting communication and leading to the death of brain cells.
The progression of Alzheimer’s disease is slow and gradual, with symptoms appearing only after significant damage has been done to the brain.
In its early stages, the disease may cause only mild memory problems. As it progresses, Alzheimer’s can lead to profound confusion, disorientation, and a decline in physical abilities.
In the final stages, the person may become completely dependent on others for care.
What part of the brain is most damaged by Alzheimer’s disease?
The most damage is done to the hippocampus and the cortex. The hippocampus is responsible for memory, learning, and orientation. The cortex is responsible for thinking, reasoning, and speaking.
Since the hippocampus is responsible for learning new information, a person with Alzheimer’s may have trouble learning or remembering information.
They may also have difficulty thinking abstractly or tracking conversations. They often lose their orientation to time and place and can get confused about who they are and where they are.
In the later stages of the disease, they may no longer be able to speak or understand language.
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What Are the Characteristics of a Brain with Alzheimer’s Disease?
The characteristics of a brain with Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Abnormal clumps of a protein called amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles form in the spaces between neurons.
- The progression of Alzheimer’s disease is slow and gradual, with symptoms appearing only after significant damage has been done to the brain.
- The most damage is done to the hippocampus and the cortex, which play a role in memory, learning, and orientation.
- Since the hippocampus is responsible for learning new information, a person with Alzheimer’s may have trouble learning or remembering information. They may also have difficulty thinking abstractly or tracking conversations.
- People with Alzheimer’s often lose their orientation to time and place and can get confused about who they are and where they are.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that damages the brain over time. The most damage is done to the hippocampus and the cortex, which play a role in memory, learning, and orientation.
In its early stages, Alzheimer’s may cause only mild memory problems. As it progresses, it can lead to profound confusion, disorientation, and a decline in physical abilities.
People with Alzheimer’s often lose their orientation to time and place and can get confused about who they are and where they are.
In the later stages of the disease, they may no longer be able to speak or understand language.
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by abnormal clumps of a protein called amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the spaces between neurons.
It is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that damages the brain over time. Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles form in the spaces between neurons, disrupting communication and leading to the death of brain cells.
The hippocampus and cortex are most damaged by Alzheimer’s disease. In its early stages, the disease may cause only mild memory problems.
As it progresses, Alzheimer’s can lead to profound confusion, disorientation, and a decline in physical abilities.
People with Alzheimer’s often lose their orientation to time and place and can get confused about who they are and where they are. In the later stages of the disease, they may no longer be able to speak or understand language.
