Introduction
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects an increasing number of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, approximately 50 million people suffered from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and this number is projected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050. Alzheimer’s disease is not only a tragedy for the afflicted individuals and their families but also a significant challenge for healthcare and social care systems.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for about 60-80% of all cases. Dementia is a general term for cognitive function disorders (such as memory, thinking, orientation, reasoning, planning) or changes in mood or behavior that are severe enough to interfere with daily functioning. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by a gradual decline in these functions and progressive loss of brain tissue.
Alzheimer’s disease is named after the German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer, who in 1906 described the first case of a woman suffering from previously unknown memory and personality disorders. After her death, Alzheimer examined her brain and discovered two characteristic phenomena: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Amyloid plaques are accumulations of beta-amyloid protein that build up between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. Neurofibrillary tangles are twisted fibers of tau protein that accumulate inside neurons. These two types of pathological changes disrupt communication between neurons and lead to their death.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease appear gradually and worsen over time. The first and most well-known symptom is memory loss, especially short-term memory, which involves the ability to remember new information. Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease often forget recent events, conversations, appointments, places, or people. They may repeat the same questions or stories, misplace items, wander, or become disoriented in familiar places.
Over time, other cognitive problems emerge, such as difficulties with speaking, understanding, reading, writing, counting, problem-solving, decision-making, or performing complex tasks. People with Alzheimer’s disease may struggle with recognizing faces or objects, using basic tools or devices, dressing, eating, or maintaining hygiene. They may make errors in assessing situations and risks, such as forgetting to turn off the stove or iron.
Alzheimer’s disease also affects emotions and behavior. Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease may exhibit mood and personality changes, such as apathy, depression, anxiety, irritability, aggression, paranoia, or delusions. They may also experience sleep disturbances, disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle, visual or auditory hallucinations, compulsive or repetitive behaviors (e.g., pacing), sexual disturbances, or urinary and fecal incontinence.
In the advanced stage of Alzheimer’s disease, affected individuals become entirely dependent on the care of others. They lose the ability to communicate verbally and non-verbally, recognize loved ones and themselves, move, and control basic bodily functions. Eventually, complications such as pressure sores, pneumonia, or sepsis can lead to death.
Genetic tests for Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease has a partially genetic basis, meaning the risk of developing it depends on the genes we inherit from our parents. Some genes are directly responsible for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which occurs before the age of 65 and constitutes about 1% of all cases. Individuals who have these genes will definitely develop Alzheimer’s.
Other genes do not cause Alzheimer’s disease but increase the likelihood of its occurrence. The most important of these is the APOE4 gene, which occurs in about 25% of the population. Individuals with one copy of this gene have 2-3 times greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s than those without it. Individuals with two copies of this gene have 10-15 times greater risk.
Genetic tests for Alzheimer’s involve taking a blood or saliva sample and analyzing it for the presence of specific genes or their variants. These tests can be useful for individuals with dementia symptoms or a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. They can aid in diagnosis, treatment planning, and care, as well as in making decisions about potential participation in clinical trials.
However, genetic tests for Alzheimer’s are not routinely conducted and are not available to everyone. These tests have their limitations and risks. They cannot predict precisely when or if the disease will develop, nor can they prevent or cure Alzheimer’s. They may, however, induce emotional stress, anxiety, feelings of guilt, or discrimination based on genetic status.
Therefore, genetic tests for Alzheimer’s should only be performed after consultation with a physician and a genetic counselor who can assess the benefits and risks of such a test and provide appropriate psychological and educational support.
Natural compounds are present in green tea and red wine
In addition to genetic factors, the development of Alzheimer’s disease is also influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, coexisting diseases, and medications. Some studies suggest that consuming certain foods or drinks may have a beneficial impact on brain health and dementia prevention. Two of these are green tea and red wine.
Green tea is a rich source of catechins, which are plant compounds with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Catechins can protect nerve cells from damage and death caused by oxidative stress and inflammation, which are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Catechins can also inhibit the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are a primary pathological factor in this disease.
Red wine is a rich source of resveratrol, another plant compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Resveratrol can also protect nerve cells from damage and death and inhibit the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain. Additionally, resveratrol can stimulate the activity of sirtuins, proteins involved in aging and longevity processes.
Studies in animals and humans have shown that regular consumption of green tea or red wine can improve memory, cognitive function, and mood and reduce the risk of dementia. However, it’s not clear how significant these benefits are and how long one must consume these beverages to obtain them. Moreover, excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on overall health and the brain.
Therefore, green tea and red wine should not be considered as cures for Alzheimer’s disease but rather as part of a healthy and balanced diet that also includes other antioxidant-rich and nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and olive oil.
Future Perspectives
While genetic tests and natural compounds may be helpful in preventing or delaying the development of Alzheimer’s disease, they are not sufficient or effective for everyone. Therefore, new methods for diagnosing, treating, and preventing this disease are still needed.
In the future, it may be possible to develop drugs or supplements based on catechins or resveratrol that could better reach the brain and prevent damage to nerve cells caused by beta-amyloid. Gene therapy or cell therapy could also be used to repair or replace damaged genes or neurons.
However, to achieve this, further large-scale and long-term scientific research is required. Greater social and political awareness of the issue of Alzheimer’s disease and its consequences for patients, their families, and society is also needed. Only through collective efforts can we reduce the suffering of the millions of people affected by this disease.
Summary
While genetic tests and natural compounds like catechins and resveratrol show promise in Alzheimer’s prevention, they are not universally effective. New diagnostic, treatment, and prevention methods are necessary. Potential future solutions include drugs or supplements based on these compounds, gene or cell therapies to repair or replace damaged genes or neurons. However, extensive scientific research and increased social and political awareness are vital to addressing Alzheimer’s disease effectively. Collective efforts are required to reduce the suffering of those affected by the disease.