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Neurocognitive Impairment - Alzheimer's disease and Depression

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I need a description of Alzheimer's disease and Depression
Then, i need to understand 3 factors that should be considered in making a differential diagnosis and why they should be considered
Lastly, i need to gain a better understanding of how medications for elderly clients may complicate an accurate DX
Can you please give me the references so that as I am getting my chemo I can try and read them?

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A description of Alzheimer's disease and Depression is given. The factors of making the diagnosis are considered.

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Hi, and thanks so much for choosing me, having faith in me and Brain Mass. I am more than happy to help you and hope I can help you with what you need. God Bless.

First, here is a Detailed Description of Alzheimer's Disease:

The connections between brain cells in which the brain cells themselves degenerate and die. Which than causes a steady decline in memory and mental function. Alzheimer's disease or Alzheimer's-type dementia is a progressive degeneration of brain tissue that primarily strikes people over age 65. It is the most common cause of dementia and is marked by a devastating mental decline. Intellectual functions such as memory, comprehension, and speech deteriorate. The most common form of dementia, is Alzheimer's disease. Over time Alzheimer's disease gradually gets worse. Here is something very important to take into consideration. Genetic research has turned up evidence of a link between Alzheimer's disease and genes on four chromosomes, labeled numerically as 1, 14, 19, 21. The APOE gene on chromosome 19 has been linked to late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Dozens of studies around the world have confirmed that inheritance of one particular variant of the APOE gene, termed APOE4, increases the lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer' disease(Lava, 2014).

This disease occurs in many people who have no APOE e4 gene, suggesting that the APOE e4 gene affects risk but is not a cause. Other genetic and environmental factors likely are involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease." (www.mayoclinic.org)

Since Alzheimer's disease is a progressive illness and the structure and chemistry of the brain become increasingly damaged over time, the person's ability to remember, understand, communicate and reason will gradually decline. The way that a person experiences Alzheimer's disease will depend on many factors, including their physical make-up, their emotional resilience, the medication they take and the support they can rely on. People may forget about recent conversations or events
repeat themselves
become slower at grasping new ideas
lose the thread of what is being said
sometimes become confused
show poor judgement, or find it harder to make decisions
lose interest in other people or activities
develop a readiness to blame others for taking mislaid items
become unwilling to try out new things or adapt to change." (www.alzheimers.org)

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