Senile dementia

Senile dementia, also known as Alzheimer's disease, is a primary degenerative brain disease that occurs in the elderly and pre-senile periods. It refers to a persistent disorder of higher nervous function, namely impairments in memory, thinking, analytical judgment, visuospatial recognition, and emotion in the absence of consciousness disturbance. Studies show that in the United States in 2000, the number of Alzheimer's disease cases was 4.5 million. For every 5-year increase in age, the percentage of Alzheimer's disease patients doubles; that is, the prevalence rate is 1% in people aged 60, while it is 30% in people aged 85. To date, no authoritative medical institution has reported the discovery of patients aged 12 or 13, as Alzheimer's disease typically occurs in the elderly over 60 years of age. The characteristic pathological changes of senile dementia include cerebral cortical atrophy, accompanied by β-amyloid deposition, neurofibrillary tangles, a significant reduction in the number of memory neurons, and the formation of senile plaques. The disease often has an insidious onset, with early symptoms including recent memory decline, personality changes, decreased intelligence, poor spatial orientation, frequently getting lost or failing to recognize the way home, reduced initiative, and emotional instability, although daily living activities can still be maintained. As the disease progresses, cognitive function declines, with the appearance of aphasia, agnosia, and sometimes consciousness disturbances. Focal neurological signs may occur, and patients can no longer manage daily living activities, often exhibiting inappropriate behavior and changes in ethical and moral conduct. Hallucinations, visual hallucinations, delusions, mania, or depressive symptoms may also appear. In the late stage, there is comprehensive intellectual impairment, bedridden state, and no voluntary movement. Patients may be mute or speak incoherently, completely unable to care for themselves, ultimately dying from complications. Currently, due to the lack of effective therapeutic drugs and interventions, senile dementia progressively worsens day by day, ultimately threatening life through physical comorbidities. Therefore, maintaining a cheerful mood in daily life, cultivating personal interests, adopting a reasonable diet, and maintaining good lifestyle habits are very important and can effectively prevent the occurrence of senile dementia.