Grandma's Abilities With Alzheimer's

Question 1

What is Alzheimer’s?

Answer 1

Progressive build up of fibrous patches called plaques and protein structures call tangles in the brain
Disrupts messages by damaging neural connections and disrupting normal flow of nutrients
Cells are damaged and die

Question 2

What ability would go first?

Answer 2

Ability to tell you about the plot of the last novel she read
More forgetful of recent event details such as books read in early stage
Deterioration of hippocampus is especially severe, this plays a role memory formation

Question 3

What is second to deteriorate?

Answer 3

Ability to recite current address

Moderate phase - often confused about time and place, lose ability to recall details such as phone number and address

Question 4

What is last to deteriorate?

Answer 4

Ability to ride a bicycle
Cell death progresses and memory worsens and rest of cortex is affected
Severe stage - sufferers have problems with movements and rigidity because of damage to areas of the brain involves in motor activities