Istanbul Okan University Hospital Neurology Specialist Dr. Özlem Çakır shared information about Alzheimer's disease. Istanbul Okan University Hospital Neurologist Dr. stated that Alzheimer's disease is a disease that causes various neuropsychiatric behavioral disorders, as well as cognitive decline, and disruptions in the person's daily life activities. Özlem Çakır said, “It occurs due to lower brain cells dying earlier than programmed, the cause of which is not fully clarified. "In addition, a history of depression, vascular diseases (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol), serious head trauma, and APOE4 carrier status are possible risk factors." he said.
Dr. underlines that the disease consists of 3 stages. Özlem Çakır noted the following:
1. In the early stage; Near-term memory problems, repetition of questions, difficulty in writing and using tools, inability to learn new skills, personality change, and denial of the disease are frequently observed. 2. In the middle stage; Increasing difficulty in coping with problems, progressive memory impairment, high risk of getting lost, sleep disturbance, needing help in daily life activities, difficulty in recognizing relatives, inability to cope with new situations. 3. Advanced stage; He cannot recognize his relatives, communication is severely impaired, he may be bedridden, psychiatric symptoms are much more pronounced, he is in complete need of care.”
Dr. Özlem Çakır said that in addition to detailed neurological examination, applications such as computerized tomography (CT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and personality contact tests to investigate depression can be applied in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. He stated that it is possible to slow down the progression of the disease.
