Everything you need to know about
The Science of Alzheimer's
by
Next
The Science of Alzheimer's
Structure of the Brain
Theories of Alzheimer's
Return
Next
The Structure of the Brain
The brain is the body's control center, and it's made up of billions of tiny cells called neurons.
Return
Next
What Is a Neuron?
A neuron is a special kind of cell in our brain and nervous system. It’s like a tiny messenger that carries information all around our body. When we learn, the connections between neurons are strengthened, and this is believed to be the basis for memory and learning.
Return
Next
What Is Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer’s disease is a serious condition that affects the brain.
One of the ways it does damage is by killing neurons, causing:
Difficulty WithCoordination
Memory Loss
Analogy Explainer
Return
Next
Theories of Alzheimer's
Scientists still don’t know exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease. Today, there are a few leading theories.
Amyloid Plaque Theory
Tau Tangle Theory
Inflammation Theory
Infectious Theory
Return
Next
Amyloid Plaque Theory
With Alzheimer's, brain signals are blocked by amyloid plaques from outside the neuron.
As a result, neurons starve and die, affecting brain function.
READ MORE
Return
Next
Tau Tangle Theory
Instead of the buildup of amyloid plaques outside the neuron, the tau tangle theory states that it is the build up of tau tangles inside the neurons that leads to their death.
Tau tangles form inside neurons and disrupt brain signals. As a result, neurons starve and die, leading to problems like memory loss and difficulty with coordination.
READ MORE
Return
Next
Inflammation Theory
The inflamation theory says that it is not just the blockages in our brains that matter, but it is about our ability to heal too.People with Alzheimer's disease have higher levels of inflamation in their brains, leading to problems with memory and thinking.
Lack of Exercise
Infections
Injury
Unhealthy Diet
Return
Next
Inflammation Theory
Microglial cells are janitors of the brain, they reduce inflammation by clearing out plaques
and toxins.
With Alzheimer's, microglial cells become inactive,
causing inflammation.
Analogy Explainer
Analogy Explainer
Analogy Explainer
READ MORE
Return
Next
Infectious Theory
Our bodies host bacteria, viruses, and fungi and these microbes can trigger inflammation. Microbes can enter the brain and lay dormant for decades, later activating an infection that can cause plaque to buildup. This theory doesn't claim Alzheimer's is caused by infection, but it does represent a new research direction.
Stress
Infection
Weak Immune System
READ MORE
Return
Next
Want To Keep Learning?
Visit
beingpatient.com
for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease
Return
Imagine if a telephone line got cut or broken. The messages would not be able to get through. This is what happens when neurons die or get damaged: The brain can’t communicate properly.
Imagine a house is on fire. The fire department comes to put out the fire, but the fire trucks and the water they use to put out the fire also damages some of the house. That’s similar to what happens in the brain when there’s an injury or an infection. The body sends inflammatory cells to fight it, but these cells can also cause damage to the neurons.
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Transcript
Everything you need to know about
The Science of Alzheimer's
by
Next
The Science of Alzheimer's
Structure of the Brain
Theories of Alzheimer's
Return
Next
The Structure of the Brain
The brain is the body's control center, and it's made up of billions of tiny cells called neurons.
Return
Next
What Is a Neuron?
A neuron is a special kind of cell in our brain and nervous system. It’s like a tiny messenger that carries information all around our body. When we learn, the connections between neurons are strengthened, and this is believed to be the basis for memory and learning.
Return
Next
What Is Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer’s disease is a serious condition that affects the brain.
One of the ways it does damage is by killing neurons, causing:
Difficulty WithCoordination
Memory Loss
Analogy Explainer
Return
Next
Theories of Alzheimer's
Scientists still don’t know exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease. Today, there are a few leading theories.
Amyloid Plaque Theory
Tau Tangle Theory
Inflammation Theory
Infectious Theory
Return
Next
Amyloid Plaque Theory
With Alzheimer's, brain signals are blocked by amyloid plaques from outside the neuron.
As a result, neurons starve and die, affecting brain function.
READ MORE
Return
Next
Tau Tangle Theory
Instead of the buildup of amyloid plaques outside the neuron, the tau tangle theory states that it is the build up of tau tangles inside the neurons that leads to their death.
Tau tangles form inside neurons and disrupt brain signals. As a result, neurons starve and die, leading to problems like memory loss and difficulty with coordination.
READ MORE
Return
Next
Inflammation Theory
The inflamation theory says that it is not just the blockages in our brains that matter, but it is about our ability to heal too.People with Alzheimer's disease have higher levels of inflamation in their brains, leading to problems with memory and thinking.
Lack of Exercise
Infections
Injury
Unhealthy Diet
Return
Next
Inflammation Theory
Microglial cells are janitors of the brain, they reduce inflammation by clearing out plaques and toxins.
With Alzheimer's, microglial cells become inactive, causing inflammation.
Analogy Explainer
Analogy Explainer
Analogy Explainer
READ MORE
Return
Next
Infectious Theory
Our bodies host bacteria, viruses, and fungi and these microbes can trigger inflammation. Microbes can enter the brain and lay dormant for decades, later activating an infection that can cause plaque to buildup. This theory doesn't claim Alzheimer's is caused by infection, but it does represent a new research direction.
Stress
Infection
Weak Immune System
READ MORE
Return
Next
Want To Keep Learning?
Visit
beingpatient.com
for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease
Return
Imagine if a telephone line got cut or broken. The messages would not be able to get through. This is what happens when neurons die or get damaged: The brain can’t communicate properly.
Imagine a house is on fire. The fire department comes to put out the fire, but the fire trucks and the water they use to put out the fire also damages some of the house. That’s similar to what happens in the brain when there’s an injury or an infection. The body sends inflammatory cells to fight it, but these cells can also cause damage to the neurons.