CASEBOOK: Alzheimer's.Byline: Dr Gareth ALZHEIMER'S is a form of dementia or memory loss caused by small plaques of a substance called amyloid amyloid /am·y·loid/ (am´i-loid) 1. starchlike; amylaceous. 2. the pathologic, extracellular, waxy, amorphous substance deposited in amyloidosis, being composed of fibrils in bundles or in a meshwork of polypeptide developing in the brain. Symptoms start with mild forgetfulness Forgetfulness See also Carelessness. Absent-Minded Beggar, The ballad of forgetful soldiers who fought in the Boer War. [Br. Lit.: “The Absent-Minded Beg-gars” in Payton, 3] absent-minded professor and inability to concentrate. Slowly this worsens and language, judgment, reading and thinking become impaired. The personality is affected with mood swings and irritability. There is no cure but drugs can slow it down and improve confusion. These are recommended by a consultant psychiatrist. The course of the illness can vary from five to 20 years. CAPTION(S): Age risk: Dementia |
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