Alzheimer’s Disease-Associated Cognitive Disabilities
摘要
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of neurodegenerative disorder that usually occurs in older age. Although the hallmark of the disease is memory impairment, it is often associated with other cognitive and behavioral impairments. The disease most commonly presents as insidiously progressing memory loss that slowly progresses toward other impairments like language disorders (anomia or aphasia), attention deficits, and other cognitive impairments. As the disease progresses, the patients often experience extrapyramidal dysfunctions like dystonia, bradykinesia, tremor, and even Parkinsonism. Usually, in the early phases of the disease, social and behavioral impairments are not significant. However, as the disease progresses, the patient’s ability to participate in day-to-day activities is impaired, leading to substantial limitations in social and occupational activities. These impairments include confusion about location, taking longer to complete daily activities, difficulties in handling money, mood swings, and personality changes. In the late stage of the disease, the patient cannot read or write correctly, has problems recognizing friends and family members, and has difficulties in logical thinking and reasoning. In extreme cases, the patient often lacks bowel and bladder control, loss of motor functions, and extrapyramidal symptoms.