Everyone who cares for someone with Alzheimer's disease (AD) knows too well that the disease is a thief who over time steals the most precious parts of those they love –their memories, ability for personal sharing and self expression, thinking and planning skills, and eventually their sense of themselves.
Caring for someone throughout the stages of AD can leave caregivers feeling powerless, unprepared, and frustrated. Understanding how Alzheimer's affects the brain can help caregivers know more about what to expect as their loved one progresses through the disease, and how to prepare for that progression. Reducing the amount of surprise makes caregiving less stressful and helps caregivers to better care for themselves and their loved one.
Alzheimer's disease is not natural aging. It is a progressive disease that causes the abnormal death of brain cells. The initial symptoms of Alzheimer's often include memory loss, but as the disease progresses it kills more of the brain until the person is unable to move, swallow or breathe.
Main Parts of the Brain
The first step to understanding the Alzheimer's brain is to understand a little about the normal healthy brain. The human brain is nothing short of amazing. From its larger structures, down to its tiniest cells, it is arguably the most important and the least understood organ in the human body.
The larger, easily visible structures of the brain contain the cerebrum, the cerebellum and the brain stem. Scientists have been able to map the general regions, and lobes, that drive a person's skills and reactions, allowing them to better understand the progress of Alzheimer's.
Cerebrum
The cerebrum is the largest part of the organ and takes up most of the space in the skull. It holds the regions of the brain responsible for body movement, memory, problem solving, thinking skills, and feeling. No doubt you have already guessed that this is where the first Alzheimer's afflicted brain cells begin to make their demise known.
Cerebellum
Next, at the back of the skull just under the cerebrum, sits the cerebellum. This part of the brain is responsible for the body's balance and coordination.
Brain Stem
The brain stem is the smallest structure of the three main regions of the brain. It sits beneath the cerebrum and in front of the cerebellum, and connects the spinal cord to the brain. It controls the major physical functions necessary for life: breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and digestion.