Alzheimer’s disease, the main cause of dementia, is a degenerative process that progressively affects the brain, leading to the death of brain cells and the gradual increase of signs and symptoms.
This revelation was made by Dr. Sonia Brucki, a neurologist at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo School of Medicine (HCFMUSP), during her participation in the program CNN Vital Signs this Saturday (3).
According to the expert, Alzheimer’s is mainly caused by two proteins: amyloid and tau protein. These substances deposit the brain over time, triggering a process that results in the death of neurons.
Silent beginning of the disease
A crucial aspect highlighted by Brucki is that the degenerative process can start long before the first visible symptoms appear. “The disease begins perhaps decades before the first symptom,” said the neurologist, highlighting Alzheimer’s insidious nature.
Typically, the most common initial symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss. However, Dr. Brucki emphasizes that this manifestation only occurs after a long period of silent brain changes.
Understanding this long asymptomatic period of the disease emphasizes the importance of continuous research and the development of early diagnostic methods. This could allow more effective interventions before significant damage occur in the brain.
This content was originally published in Dr.Kalil: Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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