ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

May 19, 2019

A study, published in the journal PLoS One, found that Magnetic stimulation of the brain under repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) therapy improves working memory that may lead to a new therapy for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

About:

What is it? Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disorder that causes brain cells to waste away (degenerate) and die.
Causes: The exact causes of Alzheimer's disease aren't fully understood. Scientists believe that for most people, Alzheimer's disease is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time.
Symptoms: The early signs of the disease may be forgetting recent events or conversations. As the disease progresses, a person with Alzheimer's disease will develop severe memory impairment and lose the ability to carry out everyday tasks.
Health effects:
- Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia — a continuous decline in thinking, behavioural and social skills that disrupts a person's ability to function independently.
- In advanced stages of the disease, complications from severe loss of brain function — such as dehydration, malnutrition or infection — result in death.
Treatment: There is no treatment that cures Alzheimer's disease or alters the disease process in the brain. Current Alzheimer's disease medications may temporarily improve symptoms or slow the rate of decline.