• Question: How do you get Alzheimer's disease? Is it curable?

    Asked by Mollieeee to Greg, Jen, Laura, Mobeen, Paul on 8 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Laura Haworth

      Laura Haworth answered on 8 Mar 2016:

      No one really knows how we get Alzeheimer’s disease. During the disease proteins build up in the brain, which affects nerve connections in the brain. Also people suffering from Alzehimer’s have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are used to send messages in the brain. Without these chemicals and connections our brain can no longer control certain things e.g. remembering things, walking and talking.
      Unfortunately women are more likely to get the disease and there has been some link with it being a genetic conditions.
      Currently it is not curable but there is medication to try and control the symptoms and slow the possession of symptoms,as it is a progressive disease with symptoms becoming worse over time.

    • Photo: Paul O'Mahoney

      Paul O'Mahoney answered on 8 Mar 2016:

      As Laura said, no-one really knows yet exactly what causes Alzheimer’s. And unfortunately there is no cure yet, there are many drugs that can be taken to help slow the progression of the disease. There are lots of very bright researchers trying to figure it out though, so hopefully we will know more in the future, and hopefully there will still be lots of young students taking science subjects who will then go on to do research and help solve these problems

    • Photo: Jen Lowe

      Jen Lowe answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      We don’t really know what causes Alzheimer’s but it is thought that a few things increase the risk of getting it:
      * increasing age
      * a family history of the condition
      * previous severe head injuries
      * lifestyle factors and conditions associated with cardiovascular disease
      There is no cure, but there are drugs that can reduce symptoms and/or slow progression of the disease. There are also strategies people can use to keep themselves independent for as long as possible.

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