Alzheimer’s disease caused by decline in amyloid-beta : Study

Context

New research supports the hypothesis that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a decline in levels of a protein called amyloid-beta. 

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

• It is the most common type of dementia.
• The disease was discovered after Dr Alios Alzheimer examined a memory-loss patient’s brain after her death in 1906 and found abnormal clumps (beta-amyloid plaque) and bundles of fibres (neurofibrillary tangles). 
• It is a progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss and possibly leading to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment.
• It involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.
• It can seriously affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.

Treatment

• There is currently no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment addresses several areas-
• Helping people maintain brain health.
• Managing behavioural symptoms.
• Slowing or delaying symptoms of the disease.