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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative brain
syndrome characterized by a progressive decline in memory, thinking,
comprehension, calculation, language, learning capacity and judgement sufficient to impair personal activities of
daily living. The rate of occurrence of AD doubles every five years for those
between the 65 and 85 years of age, but if onset were delayed by five years,
the number of cases worldwide would be halved. Thus serious attention needs
to be paid to the risk factors and preventive measures that may be taken to
postpone the onset, if not prevent the appearance of AD.
Epidemiological data already suggest that certain
communities in Asia and Africa might have a
lower risk of AD compared to western countries. Researchers in India
have suggested a gene-environment interaction in the causation of AD.
Although genes cannot be altered, the environmental risk factors which
interact with the genetic risk factors can possible be modified, thereby
reducing the risk. This promising concept must be pursued as it affords a ray
of hope to the future.
With the increase
in life expectancy, populations of Member Countries in the South East Asia
Region (SEAR) will be increasingly faced with diseases which affect the older
age group, such as AD. Thus it is time for governments to plan and address
issues related to such diseases before they reach a crisis situation. The WHO
Regional Office for South-East Asia is
committed to assist Member Countries in addressing the challenges of tackling
these diseases.
This manual “Alzhiemer’s Disease: The Brain Killer” has been
prepared by experts from the Region, provides valuable information for the
lay public and policy-makers regarding the multi-faceted aspects of ‘the
brain killer disease” and what can be done to relieve the suffering of
patients and their families.
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