The Atlanta Center for Medical Research is currently seeking volunteers to participate in a clinical study of Alzheimer’s disease.
The National Institute on Aging defines Alzheimer’s disease as “an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.” At first, forgetfulness or confusion may be the only symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease; over time, the disease takes more of your memory and can lead to dementia.
Those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease may suffer from the following early symptoms:
- Memory loss that persists and worsens, affecting your ability to function at work or at home
- Difficulty concentrating and thinking, especially about abstract concepts like numbers
- Difficulty responding effectively to everyday problems
- Forgetting how to plan and perform familiar tasks
- Changes in personality and behavior: depression, apathy, social withdrawal, mood swings, distrust in others, irritability and aggressiveness, changes in sleeping habits, wandering, loss of inhibitions, and delusions
Alzheimer’s disease is ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, doctors are pursuing research that could improve methods of treatment.