Alzheimer – uma revisão abrangente sobre etiologia, manifestações clínicas, diagnóstico e abordagens terapêuticas.
Alzheimer – uma revisão abrangente sobre etiologia, manifestações clínicas, diagnóstico e abordagens terapêuticas.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.0762412064
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Palavras-chave: Alzheimer, diagnóstico, tratamento.
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Keywords: Alzheimer, diagnosis, treatmant
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Abstract: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by cognitive damage, which affects several neurological functions of the body. The pathology is associated with several causes and its development is not completely understood. However, current studies reflect the relevance of the formation of beta-amyloid plaques and the process of neuroinflammation and synaptic dysfunction caused by their deposition in different regions of the brain, in addition to neurofibrillary degeneration, due to the hyperphosphorylation of Tau proteins and the consequent inability to perform its functions, such as maintaining the structure of neurons. Currently, the diagnosis is made through neuropsychiatric tests, imaging tests and monitoring of specific biomarkers. Furthermore, the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (NINCDS) and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (ADRDA) formed a group that establishes diagnostic criteria for the disease based on the symptoms presented by the patient and results of complementary exams. The investigation of therapeutic approaches is extremely important when evaluating the growing population profile of elderly people, an important risk factor for the development of the disease. Therefore, today approved medications target cholinergic neurotransmission, since cholinergic transmission in the brain is important for maintaining memory, learning and attention. Glutamatergic receptor antagonists are also used in treatment aiming to reduce excitotoxicity caused by excess glutamatergic transmission in the disease. However, several other non-drug treatment mechanisms are being studied and some are already being used in patients, such as immunotherapy, which is relevant for the production of anti-amyloid and anti-tau antibodies that neutralize amyloid plaques and bind to proteins to prevent its spread.
- Julia Ramalho Teixeira
- Millene Cristina de Souza Ferreira
- Gisele Aparecida Fófano