1. Diagnosing Patient #2
The two studs (you know who we are) (Zach and Jack in case you didn’t know)

2. Symptoms Confusing the names of relatives Trouble controlling emotions
Trouble completing simple calculations (was a math major)
Memory loss
Will not shower; convinced he is clean
Trouble recognizing people

3. Diagnosis: Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia
Develops slowly and worsens over time
Severe enough to interfere with daily tasks
Not a normal part of aging, but is most prominent in senior citizens

4. Problems within the Brain
Patients symptoms include learning and memory disorders
Problems occur within the temporal lobe
Nerve cell death and tissue loss
Plaques build up between nerve cells
Tangles form on nerve cells

5. More on Plaques Come from beta-amyloid Beta cells are sticky
Clump together to form plaques
Plaques may block cell-to-cell communication at the synapse
May also trigger immune system cells that attack disabled cells

6. More on Tangles Destroy vital cell transport system made of proteins
In healthy areas:
Transport system is arranged in neat uniform lines
Protein called tau keeps the tracks straight
In tangled areas:
Tau collapses into twisted strands (called tangles)
Tracks fall apart and disintegrate
Nutrients can no longer reach the cells, which then die

7. Treatment of Alzheimer’s
No known cures
Drug and non-drug treatments may help with both cognitive and behavioral symptoms
Scientists are constantly looking for treatments and cures