Here are the relationships between Alzheimer's disease and these terms:
• Acetylcholine: Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate memory, attention and cognition. Levels of acetylcholine are low in Alzheimer's brains, contributing to symptoms. Some Alzheimer's medications work by increasing acetylcholine.
• Dementia: Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia, which refers to symptoms of memory loss and cognitive impairment. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.
• Neurofibrillary tangles: These are abnormal protein deposits that build up inside neurons in the Alzheimer's brain. They twist and knot inside cells and disrupt communication between neurons.
• Beta-amyloid plaques: These are abnormal protein fragments that clump together outside of neurons in the Alzheimer's brain. They are toxic to neurons and inflammation around plaques contributes to cell death.
• Sundowning: This refers to increased symptoms of confusion, anxiety and restlessness in the evening. This occurs in some Alzheimer's patients, especially those with moderate to severe symptoms. It may be due to circadian rhythm disruptions or decreases in certain neurotransmitters during the evening.
In conclusion, Alzheimer's disease is characterized by these aberrant proteins, shortages in neurotransmitters, symptoms of dementia, and circadian alterations in the brain, which finally result in the death of neurons and their connections. Despite the fact that certain drugs offer small, transient symptom alleviation, treatment options are still restricted.