Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are two major neurodegenerative disorders that affect the brain and are primarily caused by gradual damage to brain cells. Both are progressive conditions that affect a person’s memory, movement and communication, and the symptoms get worsen over time. Alzheimer’s disease is often associated with dementia and it accounts for about two thirds of cases of dementia overall. Parkinson’s disease is an age-related brain disorder that causes parts of the brain to progressively damage over the years. Although both are distinct disorders, there are some overlapping symptoms. Let’s get into a detailed picture of the Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a type of dementia, but Alzheimer’s dementia is not the only dementia. Dementia has multiple potential causes, some of which are reversible while some are not. So, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that impairs a person’s memory, ability to think clearly, and ability to perform daily tasks. People may experience disturbances in their cognitive abilities, such as memory, thinking, orientation, learning capacity, language, and judgment. This may lead to personality changes and behavioral problems such as confusion and mood swings.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is also a degenerative brain disorder but affects part of the brain that controls movements. It is one of the common brain diseases, affecting about 600,000 to 1 million people in the United States alone, second only to Alzheimer’s. PD is a chronic disease for which there is no presently no cure. But, there are several self-help strategies that can help improve the life of those with PD. Parkinson’s is typically caused by the brain’s dopamine-producing neurons degenerating, resulting in tremors, stiffness, and difficulty moving. Men usually have a higher risk of PD than women.
Similarities between Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
Depression
– Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are two major neurodegenerative disorders that affect the brain and can cause similar behavior-related symptoms such as depression. Apathy is common in both the conditions, and so is depression. It can be difficult to distinguish between these symptoms at times, but it is important to try because they are treated differently.
Anxiety
– Both the diseases can cause anxiety in early stages, which can be progressed further followed by hallucinations and delusions. Anxiety is characterized by feelings of worry, stress, nervousness, and unease. Some behavioral changes may be required along with medications to control the symptoms of AD or PD. However, there are chances that these medications could have potential side effects.
Psychotic symptoms – Patients with AD or PD may also experience complex psychotic symptoms and minor sensory disturbances. Hallucinations, delusion, agitation, and aggression are some of the hallmark symptoms of dementia. Symptoms may reoccur or worsen over time. These symptoms may indicate delirium caused by infection or other medical conditions in both disorders. The symptoms can be minor illusions and vivid dreams to frank psychosis, such as paranoid beliefs.
Protein buildup
– One of the leading causes of AD and PD is accumulation of protein aggregates. Both the disorders are characterized by the presence of protein deposits in the brain. AD is characterized by the presence of two proteins – amyloid-beta and tau. PD, on the other hand, contains abnormal clumps of proteins called Lewy bodies, which are made of the aggregated of alpha-synuclein protein.
Neuroinflammation
– One of the most important contributors to the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s is neuroinflammation. It represents a chronic reaction in response to the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain. In the central nervous system, microglia and astrocytes play critical roles in regulating inflammatory responses. When microglia is activated, they produce pro-inflammatory molecules that contribute to the death of neurons in the brain.
FAQs
What are the similarities between Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s?
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are two major brain disorders that affect the brain and can cause similar behavior-related symptoms such as depression, anxiety, loss of interest, hopelessness, and so on.
What are the similarities and differences between Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease?
Both AD and PD are progressive disorders that are characterized by the presence of protein deposits in the brain along with other factors, including neuroinflammation, degeneration of nerve cells, etc. Parkinson’s disease is an age-related disorder that causes parts of the brain to progressively damage over the years whereas Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia.
What are the similarities and differences between Alzheimer’s and dementia?
Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that impairs a person’s memory, ability to think clearly, and ability to perform daily tasks – all the hallmarks of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a disease whereas dementia is a syndrome to describe a group of similar diseases.
Which of the following is a similarity between Alzheimer and Parkinson disease quizlet?
A similarity between Alzheimer and Parkinson’s disease is the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain.
Are Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s related?
Although both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s share some similar symptoms and affect a person’s memory, movement and communication, they are generally considered distinct disease entities. So, there is no relation between the two conditions.
What are the similarities between Alzheimer’s and dementia?
Both are progressive conditions that exhibit similar symptoms, such as decline in memory, loss of concentration and focus, problems with judgment and reasoning, behavioral changes, mood swings, and cognitive decline.
What disease is similar to Alzheimer’s?
Parkinson’s disease is similar to Alzheimer’s, as both share some common symptoms such as depression and anxiety, disorientation, hallucinations, impaired functioning, memory impairment, and more.
What syndrome is similar to Alzheimer’s?
Down syndrome is similar to Alzheimer’s, as people with Down syndrome have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
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