Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Your brain has three main parts. 1. The cerebrum is involved in thinking, feeling, remembering and problem-solving; it also controls much of the body's movement. The cerebrum has a wrinkled gray surface called the cortex. 2. The cerebellum controls coordination and balance. 3. The brainstem manages automatic responses such as breathing and heart rate.

An adult's brain has about 100 billion nerve cells ( 4. neurons) that connect like trillions of tiny tree branches. Neurons are the main type of cell destroyed by Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's patients live an average of eight years with the disease, though some live much longer.

The earliest changes might begin 20 or more years before diagnosis. At this stage, thinking, learning, planning and memory are starting to be affected.

The mild-to-moderate stage of Alzheimer's usually lasts two to 10 years. Speaking and understanding what others are saying might be affected.

The severe form of the disease might last one to five years. Because of cell damage, the brain shrinks, patients can't communicate and they fail to recognize family and close friends.

SOURCE: Alzheimer's Association