V3I10P7

A REVIEW on Alzheimer’s Disease; Current Concepts and Emerging Therapeutic Approaches

P. Deepak^1*, M. Loka Pavani²

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It gradually impairs memory, thinking, language, reasoning and the ability to perform everyday activities. The disease is associated with complex changes in the brain, including accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques, abnormal tau protein tangles, synaptic dysfunction, inflammation and neuronal loss. Age is the strongest known risk factor, while genetic, cardiovascular, metabolic, lifestyle and environmental factors may also influence risk. Diagnosis combines clinical history, cognitive assessment, laboratory investigations, brain imaging and, when appropriate, biomarker testing. Management includes symptomatic medicines, disease-modifying therapies for selected patients, management of behavioral and psychological symptoms, non-pharmacological interventions and caregiver support. Research continues to investigate earlier diagnosis, precision medicine and new therapeutic approaches.

Keywords:

Alzheimer’s disease; dementia; amyloid-beta; tau; neurodegenerative; cognitive decline; cholinesterase inhibitors; memantine; biomarkers; disease-modifying therapy