Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder in which cells target a part of your body. There is no way to turn it off, therefore it is a progressive disorder.
- Affects 2.5 million people in North America + Europe
- Immune system attacks myelin
- Formation of scar tissue
- Results in numbness, weakness, tremors, and vision disturbances
- More common in women
- May experience flare-ups due to stress and/or illness
Drugs can slow down multiple sclerosis, but cannot stop it entirely.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Not all memory impairment is due to Alzheimers. Alzheimers is a progressive disease that affects about:
- 10% of US population over 65
- 30% of US population over 85
Typical symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory declines, confusion, irritability and difficulty eating/eliminating. Brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s Disease include:
- Neurofibrillary tangles
- Amyloid plaques – scar tissue, dead neurons
- Changes in memory structures – hippocampus/amygdala, ventricles get larger
- The disease attacks acetylcholine neurons that are responsible for neurons
- Some evidence of chronic immune activity in the brain
Studies indicate that there is no clear evidence that sundowning in more common in Alzheimer’s patients, although it does occur.