Alzheimer's disease generally presents with short-term memory impairment due to selective vulnerability of medial temporal lobes in the brain. Episodic memory loss is the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and subsequently, the disease spreads to other association cortices or networks in the brain which results in executive dysfunction resulting in problem-solving and planning difficulties and further resulting in navigation and language disturbances.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Ideally, people subside memory loss as an indicator of ageing, but it is also a sign of Alzheimer’s, and millions of people are affected by it around the world. In patients suffering from Alzheimer's, their abilities deteriorate which leads to cognitive difficulties severe enough to interfere with day-to-day activities.

Early Signs and Symptoms

Early stages often consist of symptoms that are mistaken for ageing. However, it is important to recognize these early signs for timely intervention:

Memory Loss 
The most common sign of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting something that you recently learned. Other symptoms consist of forgetting important dates, asking for the same information repeatedly, etc. It is the most common type of dementia.

Impaired Executive Function 
The executive function consists of a variety of cognitive processes that include planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and self-control.&nbsp;

Other Symptoms&nbsp; 
Other than memory loss and impaired executive function there are other symptoms to look for:

Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks 
People suffering from Alzheimer's face difficulty in once-easy tasks. This can include cooking, driving to a known location, or managing finances.

Confusion with Time or Place 
Losing track of dates, time, and season in common. People with Alzheimer’s tend to forget where they are or how they got there.

Trouble Understanding Visual and Spatial Relationships 
Problem in vision is one of the signs of Alzheimer's. This includes difficulty in reading, judging distance, and determining colour. It can be a problem in driving.

New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing 
People with Alzheimer's struggle to join a conversation, they tend to stop in the middle of a conversation and then have no idea how to continue. They also struggle with vocabulary or have trouble naming familiar objects

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of Alzheimer's is still not fully understood, but it is a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.

Genetic Factors 
Certain genes increase the risk of development of Alzheimer's. For example, presence of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is associated with an increase in risk of Alzheimer's.

Lifestyle and Heart Health 
There is growing evidence that factors related to heart increase&nbsp;the risk of Alzheimer's. It includes a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, cholesterol and poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

Age 
The greatest known risk for Alzheimer's is increasing age. Most cases are among people above age of 65. After age of 65, risk of Alzheimer's doubles after every 5 years and after 85, risk reaches nearly one-third.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life of an individual and family. If your loved one is facing any of the symptoms immediately consult a medical professional. Diagnosis involves: 
•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Medical History review 
•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Neuropsychological tests 
•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Neurological examination

Treatment Options

While there is no cure, but still there are several treatments available to manage the symptoms. Medications like cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine are advised to improve the symptoms for a specific period. Non-drug treatments like memory training, cognitive training and structured environment are also beneficial.

Individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s, and their care takers must adapt new ways of living. Setting up routines and creating a supportive environment are important. One of the early signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss and compromised executive function. Seeking advice from healthcare professional is crucial.&nbsp;

(Authored by Dr Kadam Nagpal, Head And Consultant - Neuroimmunology &amp; Movement Disorders And Neurology, Manipal Hospitals)

Alzheimer's disease generally presents with short-term memory impairment due to selective vulnerability of medial temporal lobes in the brain. Episodic memory loss is the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and subsequently, the disease spreads to other association cortices or networks in the brain which results in executive dysfunction resulting in problem-solving and planning difficulties and further resulting in navigation and language disturbances.

Alzheimer's disease generally presents with short-term memory impairment due to selective vulnerability of medial temporal lobes in the brain. Episodic memory loss is the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and subsequently, the disease spreads to other association cortices or networks in the brain which results in executive dysfunction resulting in problem-solving and planning difficulties and further resulting in navigation and language disturbances. Ideally, people subside memory loss as an indicator of ageing, but it is also a sign of Alzheimer’s, and millions of people are affected by it around the world. In patients suffering from Alzheimer's, their abilities deteriorate which leads to cognitive difficulties severe enough to interfere with day-to-day activities. Early Signs and Symptoms Early stages often consist of symptoms that are mistaken for ageing. However, it is important to recognize these early signs for timely intervention: Memory Loss The most common sign of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting something that you recently learned. Other symptoms consist of forgetting important dates, asking for the same information repeatedly, etc. It is the most common type of dementia. Impaired Executive Function The executive function consists of a variety of cognitive processes that include planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and self-control. Other Symptoms Other than memory loss and impaired executive function there are other symptoms to look for: Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks People suffering from Alzheimer's face difficulty in once-easy tasks. This can include cooking, driving to a known location, or managing finances. Confusion with Time or Place Losing track of dates, time, and season in common. People with Alzheimer’s tend to forget where they are or how they got there. Trouble Understanding Visual and Spatial Relationships Problem in vision is one of the signs of Alzheimer's. This includes difficulty in reading, judging distance, and determining colour. It can be a problem in driving. New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing People with Alzheimer's struggle to join a conversation, they tend to stop in the middle of a conversation and then have no idea how to continue. They also struggle with vocabulary or have trouble naming familiar objects Causes and Risk Factors The exact cause of Alzheimer's is still not fully understood, but it is a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Genetic Factors Certain genes increase the risk of development of Alzheimer's. For example, presence of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is associated with an increase in risk of Alzheimer's. Lifestyle and Heart Health There is growing evidence that factors related to heart increase the risk of Alzheimer's. It includes a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, cholesterol and poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Age The greatest known risk for Alzheimer's is increasing age. Most cases are among people above age of 65. After age of 65, risk of Alzheimer's doubles after every 5 years and after 85, risk reaches nearly one-third. Diagnosis and Treatment Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life of an individual and family. If your loved one is facing any of the symptoms immediately consult a medical professional. Diagnosis involves: • Medical History review • Neuropsychological tests • Neurological examination Treatment Options While there is no cure, but still there are several treatments available to manage the symptoms. Medications like cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine are advised to improve the symptoms for a specific period. Non-drug treatments like memory training, cognitive training and structured environment are also beneficial. Individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s, and their care takers must adapt new ways of living. Setting up routines and creating a supportive environment are important. One of the early signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss and compromised executive function. Seeking advice from healthcare professional is crucial. (Authored by Dr Kadam Nagpal, Head And Consultant - Neuroimmunology & Movement Disorders And Neurology, Manipal Hospitals)

Experiencing memory loss and impaired executive function? They could be symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

Did you know that certain genes make you more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease?&nbsp;Other risk factors include lifestyle, age and environment.

If you aren't living under a rock, you must have heard of Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth taking a break from acting over Alzheimer's risk. While shooting his docuseries 'Limitless', the 39-year-old actor got to know that he is eight to ten times more&nbsp;likely than an average person to battle the progressive disease and that has a lot to do with his genes.&nbsp;

After meeting physician Dr Peter Attia, he underwent a series of genetic tests and discovered that his DNA carries two copies of the APOE4 gene. A set from his mom and a set from his dad.

For those uninitiated, the APOE4 gene has the strongest correlation to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. And, according to a study, inheriting a single copy of APOE4 raises the risk of developing Alzheimer's about 3-fold and having two copies raises the risk to about 8 to 12-fold.

Several pieces of research on the progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which is the most common cause of dementia, have identified a number of genes associated with the disease. While risk genes increase your likelihood of developing the disease. Deterministic genes guarantee that you will develop the disease, though these are rare.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwihnPqrsMH7AhXFVHwKHcetBmMQFnoECBAQAQ" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-expert-talk-doctor-reveals-how-sedentary-lifestyle-leads-to-cardiac-ailments-521168" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-expert-talk-doctor-reveals-how-sedentary-lifestyle-leads-to-cardiac-ailments-521168&amp;ved=2ahUKEwihnPqrsMH7AhXFVHwKHcetBmMQFnoECBAQAQ">Doctor reveals how sedentary lifestyle leads to cardiac ailments</a>

The Apolipoprotein E (APOE) risk gene is the&nbsp;most common gene associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease and it has three common forms. The least common form is APOE e2, which reduces the risk of Alzheimer's. The second form is APOE e4, which increases the risk of Alzheimer's and is associated with getting the disease at an earlier age. The third and last form is APOE e3, which doesn't seem to affect the risk of Alzheimer's.

But you must remember that not everyone who has one or even two APOE4 genes develops Alzheimer's disease. And, the disease can also occur in people who don't have an APOE4 gene.&nbsp;Several other genetic and environmental factors are involved in the development of the progressive neurologic disorder.

To find out whether you have this gene in your DNA, you can opt for genetic testing for AD. With a single blood test, doctors can identify which APOE alleles a person has, but, you must remember that the results cannot predict who will or will not develop the disease.

Before being tested, we suggest that you weigh the emotional consequences of having such information. And, the results can affect your eligibility for some forms of insurance, long-term care, disability and life insurance.

Disclaimer: The medical information in this article is not a substitute for expert opinion or doctor's advice. Please consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

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Did you know that certain genes make you more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease? Other risk factors include lifestyle, age and environment. If you aren't living under a rock, you must have heard of Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth taking a break from acting over Alzheimer's risk.

Did you know that certain genes make you more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease? Other risk factors include lifestyle, age and environment. If you aren't living under a rock, you must have heard of Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth taking a break from acting over Alzheimer's risk. While shooting his docuseries 'Limitless', the 39-year-old actor got to know that he is eight to ten times more likely than an average person to battle the progressive disease and that has a lot to do with his genes. After meeting physician Dr Peter Attia, he underwent a series of genetic tests and discovered that his DNA carries two copies of the APOE4 gene. A set from his mom and a set from his dad. For those uninitiated, the APOE4 gene has the strongest correlation to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. And, according to a study, inheriting a single copy of APOE4 raises the risk of developing Alzheimer's about 3-fold and having two copies raises the risk to about 8 to 12-fold. Several pieces of research on the progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which is the most common cause of dementia, have identified a number of genes associated with the disease. While risk genes increase your likelihood of developing the disease. Deterministic genes guarantee that you will develop the disease, though these are rare. Also read: Doctor reveals how sedentary lifestyle leads to cardiac ailments The Apolipoprotein E (APOE) risk gene is the most common gene associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease and it has three common forms. The least common form is APOE e2, which reduces the risk of Alzheimer's. The second form is APOE e4, which increases the risk of Alzheimer's and is associated with getting the disease at an earlier age. The third and last form is APOE e3, which doesn't seem to affect the risk of Alzheimer's. But you must remember that not everyone who has one or even two APOE4 genes develops Alzheimer's disease. And, the disease can also occur in people who don't have an APOE4 gene. Several other genetic and environmental factors are involved in the development of the progressive neurologic disorder. To find out whether you have this gene in your DNA, you can opt for genetic testing for AD. With a single blood test, doctors can identify which APOE alleles a person has, but, you must remember that the results cannot predict who will or will not develop the disease. Before being tested, we suggest that you weigh the emotional consequences of having such information. And, the results can affect your eligibility for some forms of insurance, long-term care, disability and life insurance. Disclaimer: The medical information in this article is not a substitute for expert opinion or doctor's advice. Please consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chris Hemsworth pauses career due to Alzheimer's risk. Here's how to find out if you're at risk

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alzheimers disease-symptoms

Experiencing memory loss and impaired executive function? They could be symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

Chris Hemsworth pauses career due to Alzheimer's risk. Here's how to find out if you're at risk