Many scientists are still conducting studies
to find out specific reasons of Alzheimer's, yet it is known that there are so
many factors causing Alzheimer's disease includes deformed proteins, genetic or
neuronal energy deficiency, neuron-inflammation and vascular diseases.
As Alzheimer is neurodegenerative type of dementia, damage and
death of brain cells takes place very progressively, leaving the brain with
very fewer cells and nerve connections. Degeneration and death of brain cells
are responsible for brain shrinkage. Due to this shrinkage, when Alzheimer’s
tissue is examined through autopsy, very tiny inclusions or abnormalities in
the nerve tissue are found called Plaques and Tangles.
Plaques: These
are the protein deposits, also called beta-amyloid which build up in the brain,
mainly responsible for the interference in cell-to-cell communication. These
are deposited outside the brain cells and is the prime-suspect for this
neurodegenerative dementia.
Tangles: Also
called as neurofibrillary tangles, are twisted fibres of protein; tau build up
inside cells. These proteins are responsible for carrying nutrients inside the
brain and when fibres of tau protein tangles inside brain cells, transportation
of nutrients is affected causing to degeneration and death of brain cells.
Energy deficiency: All
cells need energy for a healthy functioning and the brain needs so much of it.
As we get older, our brain cells use energy less efficiently. Neuronal energy
deficiency is one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers
are trying to find out how these abnormalities are developed so that their cure
and prevention can be determined.
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