With more than 22 million people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, it is even more surprising to see that there are even great projected patients to undergo the hardship of this affliction within the next 25 years. Many people, family and victims of this grave disease may ask “What are the causes of Alzheimer’s disease?”
While biotechnology and research medicine is still in its early stages, we still have a great deal to learn about the disease, as well as the origins. Thus far we have understood that there is some type of hereditary issue with Alzheimer’s disease, as the neurological disorder may be passed down from every other generation or within the immediate family. Thus far, researchers have identified and located the specific gene recognized for the increased probability of Alzheimer’s onset. This gene codes for the protein Apo E, which is responsible for degrading the brain tissue and creates plaque. This is the biological mechanism behind the development for an Alzheimer’s disease risk. Those with an “on-switch” for this gene to code for this deleterious protein will be almost 75% or even 90% more likely to develop this neurological disorder. Yet, as we have located one of the major paths for causation, we still must uncover why many of those patients without this gene also suffer from a development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Other explanations for this phenomenon may be accounted for in our dietary plans, as well as the environment in which we live and breathe in. It is evident that many locations in the world are less susceptible to development of Alzheimer’s disease, so new research has been focused upon finding the causative factors in those areas high with Alzheimer’s disease. This could be due to, again, different dietary issues (such as high-cholesterol and increased fat) where plague progression could be increased. Those with these slowly degrading brain tissues are further more caused by the free radicals that are released from beta amyloid, a byproduct of the plaques. Neurotransmitters, the biochemicals that are essential for the communication of different brain cells with each other, are affected by this buildup of beta amyloid – and therefore hinder the brain activity in ways that explain dementia and paranoia involved in Alzheimer’s disease.
Again, while we have underplayed some of the biological mechanisms said to be behind this neurological disorder, it is important to not overlook some of the more dependent causes. These causes may include just general older age and slow deterioration of one’s brain and body. A history of Alzheimer’s in the past will in fact be a causative factor in a person’s development of the disease. Other, more rare causes may include a head trauma that has affected a portion of the brain and led to erratic and abnormal brain activity (by altering the state of the neurotransmitters), or results/consequences from other disorders such as Down Syndrome. We should also consider the other studies that blame aluminum deposit/exposure to human environments and habitats as well as electromagnetic waves that are abundant in today’s fast paced society.