Nine signs of Alzheimer's disease: memory disorder, visual space skill disorder (that is, unable to accurately judge the position of objects; When you reach for something, when you reach for something empty, or when you reach too far and can't beat it, and so on. ), language barriers, writing difficulties, disuse and agnosia (agnosia, not knowing relatives, familiar with friends' faces; Aphasia is common in the middle stage, that is, after the memory and language disorders have appeared obviously, but before the movement can not be obvious), dyscalculia, poor judgment, distraction, mental functional mental disorder and motor disorder.
Causes of Alzheimer's disease;
The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is still unknown. According to relevant information, it may be related to the following factors:
1, genetic factors
According to statistics, the incidence of close relatives of Alzheimer's patients is more than four times that of the general population. Alzheimer's disease has been passed down in a family for several generations, so it is called Alzheimer's Harmo's disease. Some of these patients can find chromosome defects, which are estimated to be related to heredity; At present, it is considered that there are genetic abnormalities on chromosomes 2 1, 19 and 14. In recent years, the genetic abnormality of Apo-E on chromosome 19 has been found, and there are clinical methods to determine Apo-E, which can be used for suspicious patients and families. There are a lot of insoluble protein in senile plaques and cerebral vascular deposits in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, that is, an amyloid β protein polypeptide, which is related to gene mutation on chromosomes, and can have toxic effects on mature nerve cells, causing degeneration, degeneration and necrosis of nerve cells, thus resulting in Alzheimer's Harmo disease. In addition, hyperphosphorylated T(tau) protein can be found in abnormal nerve fibers of Alzheimer's disease, and its relationship with Alzheimer's disease is not clear.
2. Changes of neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine is a substance related to memory. The cholinergic system of the central nervous system needs enzymes to participate in the synthesis of acetylcholine, and acetylcholine invertase is an essential enzyme for acetylcholine synthesis. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, the level of acetylcholine converting enzyme decreases, and the synthesis and release of acetylcholine decrease, thus affecting normal memory and cognitive function. However, it has been found that the enzymes that decompose acetylcholine in patients with Alzheimer's disease are also reduced. In addition, there are somatostatin, 5- hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine, glutamic acid, neuropeptide (vasopressin) and other neurotransmitters. ) in the hippocampus and cortex. The significance of these transmitter changes to the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease needs to be further clarified.
3. Trace elements
According to related reports, the high aluminum content in the environment is related to the morbidity and mortality of dementia. The content of aluminum in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's Harmo's disease (3.6 μ g/g dry weight) was significantly higher than that in the normal brain (1.80 μ g/g dry weight). Excessive aluminum will lead to nerve fiber degeneration, which may be related to the formation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Aluminum can inhibit the function of cholinergic system related to memory and cognitive function and reduce the activity of acetylcholine converting enzyme, thus causing Alzheimer's disease in patients. However, there are still differences on whether aluminum is an important factor leading to Alzheimer's disease.
Iron is an essential trace element for human body, which participates in oxidative metabolism in the body. Iron and ferritin have certain effects on lipid peroxidation and nerve cell injury. In addition, ferritin and transferrin can remove other metal elements such as iron and aluminum. Under normal circumstances, aluminum is completely combined with transferrin in plasma to avoid the production of free aluminum. If aluminum can not fully combine with transferrin and is in a free state, free aluminum can easily enter the brain through the blood-brain barrier, which greatly increases the aluminum content in brain tissue. In the brain tissue of Alzheimer's disease, transferrin is generally decreased, and the concentration of iron in the cerebral cortex is increased, which means that both of them are involved in the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, aluminum can promote the release of trivalent iron from transferrin and the production of free radicals. The toxic reaction of free radicals can denature protein and destroy the cell membrane, thus leading to degeneration and necrosis of nerve cells in patients.
Zinc is also an essential trace element for human body. Zinc participates in the synthesis of various enzymes and neurotransmitters in brain tissue. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, the content of zinc in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue decreases, which affects the synthesis of neurotransmitters and the synthesis and activation of zinc-containing enzymes (especially free radical scavenging enzymes), resulting in the obstruction of free radical scavenging, nerve cell damage and brain dysfunction. However, it has been reported that the zinc content in brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's disease has not decreased, and many diseases have changes in zinc content in the body. Therefore, it is uncertain whether the change of zinc content in Alzheimer's disease is an initial effect or a secondary change.
Selenium has antioxidant activity and is widely distributed in human brain. Selenium content in brain tissue of Alzheimer's Harmo's disease is generally decreased, which leads to free radical scavenging disorder and toxic effect on nerve cells. However, when selenium decreases, it is often accompanied by changes in other trace elements, and the role of selenium is still unclear. Some people think it may be just a synergistic effect. In addition, it was also found that the content of manganese in the brain tissue of Alzheimer's patients also increased, and its significance needs further observation.
4. Brain trauma
Some people think that brain trauma can break the blood-brain barrier, bring white blood cells into contact with brain antigens, lead to autoimmune reaction and cause nerve cell damage, or brain trauma can directly damage nerve cells and cause dementia, such as boxing dementia.
5. Chronic viral infection
Some chronic neurodegenerative diseases (such as spongiform encephalopathy) caused by viruses. There are many similarities between Alzheimer's disease and Harmo's disease in clinical symptoms and pathological changes, so we doubt whether Alzheimer's disease is related to infection. However, many attempts to directly infect animals with brain extracts from patients with Alzheimer's disease have failed. And so far, no virus has been found in the patient's brain tissue, so the infection factors need further verification. But some recent experimental results indirectly prove that Alzheimer's disease may be related to viral infection.
6. Others
Such as poisoning (drugs, ethanol, carbon monoxide and other toxic gases), brain hypoxia, metabolism, endocrine diseases, vitamin deficiency and so on. Will affect the occurrence of dementia. In addition, the risk factors of vascular dementia can further aggravate the occurrence and development of senile dementia. In a word, the causes of Alzheimer's disease or Alzheimer's Harmo's disease are complicated, and there are many causes. So far, it is difficult to explain with one cause, which may be the result of the interaction of many factors.
Three. Prevention of Alzheimer's disease
1, drug prevention
For thousands of years, human beings have been exploring ways to preserve health, resist aging and prolong life. Traditional Chinese medicine theory holds that the essence of aging of the elderly is yang deficiency and blood stasis. In recent 10 years, China has carried out a large number of experimental studies on anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, of which 89.5% are mainly based on invigorating spleen and tonifying kidney. Therefore, the elderly with yang deficiency can often take Wuzi Yanzong pills and other products to prevent aging.
2. Moxibustion prevention
Moxibustion can also help yang dissipate blood stasis and prolong life. In ancient times, moxibustion at Shenque, Qihai and Guanyuan of Ren meridian, Mingmen of Du meridian, Dazhui, Gaojia, Shenshu and Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, Zusanli (double) and Wuqiang point of stomach meridian had the functions of tonifying kidney, replenishing essence, supporting yang, preventing aging and dementia.
3. Avoid diseases such as cerebral arteriosclerosis and cerebral thrombosis.
Prevent Alzheimer's disease caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain. Atherosclerosis is the main enemy of dementia. Adjusting diet, eating less salt, and taking appropriate physical activities are helpful to prevent arteriosclerosis.
4. Pay attention to intellectual training
Use your brain frequently to delay brain aging. Research shows that people who often do interesting things with their brains can keep their brains sharp and exercise their brain cells to react quickly. People who do nothing all day have a high proportion of dementia. Old people should keep active and use their brains more, such as reading more books, learning new things and cultivating various hobbies, which can activate brain cells and prevent brain aging. Extensive contact with people from all walks of life is conducive to maintaining brain power. Chatting with friends, playing mahjong, playing chess, etc. Can stimulate the brain and stimulate the vitality of nerve cells.
5. Mental rehabilitation
People often say: "Smile, you are ten years older", which shows that the key to mental conditioning is to adjust the qi of seven emotions, pay attention to being optimistic, think carefully, eliminate sadness and prevent panic. We want to live a quiet life, fearless, cheerful, contented and happy, changing with the times, without self, calm in spirit, unable to regret, with one soul and five internal organs at peace. This is the first essence of mental conditioning. In other words, we should be quiet and fearless, indifferent to nothingness, not competing with the world, content with contentment and innocent. Only when we are not tempted by external material desires and disturbed by internal emotions can qi and blood be harmonious and healthy. Attention should be paid to maintaining interpersonal relationships and avoiding long-term depression and depression, because depression is also a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Avoid mental stimulation and prevent brain tissue function from being damaged. In addition, maintaining family harmony can maintain a happy mood and enhance disease resistance.
6. Sports
Many people know that exercise can reduce the probability of stroke. In fact, exercise can also promote the production of neurotrophins and prevent brain degeneration. Practice has proved that proper physical exercise is beneficial to health, such as walking, playing Tai Ji Chuan, doing health exercises or practicing Qigong. It is beneficial to relieve the inhibitory function of the brain and improve the activity level of the central nervous system. However, it is still necessary to step by step, do what you can, and persevere in order to achieve the desired results. Try to move your fingers except your whole body.
7. Daily diet
Daily life and diet should be regular and cannot be changed. Generally, you should go to bed early and get up early, eat regularly and defecate regularly. It is also of positive significance to keep the stool unobstructed to prevent Alzheimer's disease. In diet, we should generally pay attention to the following points: emphasize "three fixes, three highs, three lows and two precepts", that is, timing, quantity, high protein, high unsaturated fatty acid, high vitamin, low fat, low calorie, low salt, and quitting smoking and drinking. Avoid using aluminum drinking utensils. As soon as salt enters the human body, it will first deposit in the brain, thus inducing Alzheimer's disease. Pay attention to supplement beneficial minerals and trace elements. Lack of essential trace elements (such as zinc) can lead to insufficient blood supply to the brain, vascular diseases and dementia. In addition, vitamin e can be supplemented appropriately. Vitamin E can improve memory, but as an antioxidant, it can prevent nerve cells from being damaged by free radicals. Studies have pointed out that patients with Alzheimer's disease take vitamin E for two years in a row, delaying the degeneration for eight months. Experts suggest that 400 units of vitamin E can be supplemented every day, which will help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Recent research shows that postmenopausal women who take female hormones can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 30% to 40%. Besides, you should eat more fish. A large-scale study of 5000 people over the age of 55 in the Netherlands shows that the probability of getting Alzheimer's disease by eating more fish is only 0.4 times that of the general population.