Alzheimer Disease Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Alzheimer Disease - Essay Example Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia that attacks the brain and accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. The more gradual form, with slow progress of symptoms, begins around ages 65 to 70 and affects approximately 1%-6% of the AD patients. See Table 1.1. About 60% of early-onset AD is familial, with 13% being inherited due to family history [Rocca et al 1991, Campion et al 1999]. A rapidly progressive form begins around ages 36 to 45. Both sexes are affected usually beginning in middle age and older adults, but women are more likely to develop Alzheimer's than men, as women live longer, on average, than men. According to the research from the Aging, Demographics and Memory Study (ADAMS), 14% of all people aged 71 and older have dementia. The estimate done in 2008, states that 2.4 million women and 1 million men aged 71 and older have dementia. As many as 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's. This figure includes 5.1 million people aged 65 and older and 200,000 individuals under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer's. Based on these estimates, approximately 500,000 Americans under age 65 have Alzheimer's or other dementia. Of these, about more than 46% are estimated to have Alzheimer's disease. See Table 1.2 AD is a genetically complex and heterogeneous disorder. Particularly for genetic studies, Alzheimer's disease is often categorized according to age. ... Commonly knowm as the "Mild Cognitive impairment". (Petersen et al. 1999) Mild cognitive impairment is a major focus of research to facilitate early intervention while functional status is preserved. It can be further classified into Psychiatric Genetics or Molecular Genetics. Late on-set Familial AD: According to Smoller, Sheidley and tsuang, the research evidence proves the presence of additional AD genes. For example, the family history (Payami et al, 1997) or monozygotic twin status (Bergem et al, 1997) remains after APOE4 is controlled for. Also, a segregation analysis points to the existence if many additional late on-set AD genes (Daw et al, 2000) and the peak age at onset is in the 60's. Linkage analysis has provided several clues to where such AD genes may reside (reviewed in Bertram and tanzi 2004; Kamboh 2004). Other than the APOE region on chromosomes 9, 10 and 12. (Blacker et al 2003); Myers et al 2002). More than 200 genes have been tested for association with AD, with discouraging results (Alzheimer research Forum 2005; Kamboh 2004). There is a possibility of huge understanding in AD genetics. The discovery of the APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 has contributed greatly to the AD, and at least 20 drugs are in the process of development in genetics research. These may help in early detection and intervention and further prevention. In addition, the study can help in providing genetic counseling and genetic testing for patients with family history. Early-onset familial AD (EOFAD): Early-onset cases can occur in families with generally late-onset disease (Brickell et al 2006). At least three subtypes of molecular genetics EOFAD (AD1, AD3, and AD4) have been identified based on the causative gene.

Smoking statistics in Great Britain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Smoking statistics in Great Britain - Essay Example Smoking is incontestably one of the dangerous habits that impose great danger to both smokers and non-smokers. The issue of smoking is a very important matter that needs keen observation due to its worldwide effect. Apart from health problems, smoking also affects the economy of the countries since there are several great hardworking citizens who regularly lost their lives due to smoking. Most governments in the world set big budgets to fight smoking habits instead of using the funds in other sectors that can improve the general lifestyles of their citizens. It is therefore paramount to address smoking and other smoking related issues, as we tend to head to a smoking free world with an intention of saving our lives and economies. This piece of writing features the burning issue of smoking in UK. According to Cancer research in UK, tobacco was initially introduced in UK in the 16th century where it was being smoked in pipes, which later turned to snuff taking and cigar smoking. There has been a record increase in smokers among men since its introduction especially in 1945. Smoking in UK involves both men and women but the number of men smokers are more compared to woman. Smoking is not a common habit among women as compared to men. According to Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) which gave statistical report regarding smoking such as prevalence, habits , attitudes, NHS costs and deaths from smoking related diseases current smokers smoked average of 12.7 cigarettes per day where 20% of the smokers were adults who were aged 16 and over. The report also found that 25% of pupils aged 11 to 15 had tried smoking where as 5% were regular smokers. The number of adult smokers in UK reduced from 39% in 1980 to 20% in 2010 where those aged 20-34 reported the highest prevalence rate of about 27% and adults aged 60 and above reported the lowest prevalence of 13% in 2010. The majority of smokers begin smoking at teenage and the addiction intensifies when they become adults and at this stage, it becomes very difficult to quit the habit. People smoke for different reasons such as the need for adolescent to look mature, peer influence and finally to try out. The fact that most old people such as parents and relat ives smoke, lures the children also to smoke so that they can also look mature. Children may at times be involved in smoking if they see their friends and their peers smoke perhaps to be accepted. People have the tendency of experimenting prohibited things so that they can actually find out the reason for it being outlawed. Parents and the government normally prohibit smoking among children hence making the children sneak away and smoke. It is however interesting to note that grown-ups smoke for some reasons different from the children such as relieving them from stress and pressures due to economic or personal problems. Adults feel that smoking make them feel relaxed or boost their energy as they undergo difficulties such as family burdens or relationship challenges. Adolescent stage is the right age of ascertaining whether a child will be a heavy smoker or not by paying much attention on their behaviors. Smoking vs Demography Marital status according to the HSCIC, plays a signific ant role in smoking where most smokers are reported to be either divorced, separated or unmarried. However, single people are not likely to be chain smokers as it is in the case of the separated and the divorced individuals who take most of their time smoking due to frustrations. The married people are said to be less likely to smoke compared to the unmarried and widowed individuals. Smoking Vs Socioeconomic It is fascinating that the degree of smoking also depends on socioeconomic class where the people in the manual and routine groups were found to comprise of heavy smokers compared to people in the management and specialized groups. Most people in the higher socioeconomic cla