Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting one’s memory, cognitive abilities, and language. In Singapore, approximately one in 11 people aged 60 years and above are living with dementia.*
* Source: 2023 Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study conducted by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH)
What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
Dementia is a broad clinical term for a state in which a person is unable to cope with activities of daily living (ADL), such as bathing, eating, toileting, mobility, and decision-making.
Dementia can be caused by many factors, including severe malnutrition, ischaemic stroke, bleeding, subdural haematoma, head injury / trauma, neurodegenerative diseases, or a combination thereof.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), on the other hand, is a specific neurodegenerative disorder. It is characterised by the progressive build-up of two abnormal proteins in the brain: amyloid plaque and tau neurofibrillary tangles. This build-up, which can be caused by genetic or non-genetic factors, leads to the destruction of brain cells over time.
What are the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
The progression of Alzheimer’s disease can take many years or even decades, and the rate varies significantly among individuals. It typically moves through several stages:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Early stage | Patients may appear normal but show low scores on cognitive tests. This stage is known as mild cognitive impairment. |
| Later stages | As the disease progresses, the build-up of amyloid and tau proteins increases, leading to mild, moderate, and eventually severe dementia, where daily functioning is significantly impacted. |
Diagnosis is currently done through specialised imaging (amyloid PET, tau PET) or by analysing a patient’s brain fluid. Blood tests are not yet sensitive enough for a definitive diagnosis.
Can Alzheimer’s disease be cured or treated?
While there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, it can be treated to help manage symptoms and slow progression. Treatment typically involves a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.
| Treatment | Description |
|---|---|
| Symptomatic Medications | These medications can help boost a patient's cognitive status, regardless of the underlying cause of dementia. |
| Psychosocial interventions | Lifestyle changes are a crucial part of treatment. These include maintaining an active social life, engaging in regular exercise, managing other health factors like weight and blood pressure, and ensuring adequate rest and sleep. |
For patients who are diagnosed to have AD and not yet having severe dementia, there are medications which can remove the abnormal protein amyloid from patient’s brain, i.e. anti-amyloid treatment. The medications are injectable and given at regular intervals over a period of 18 months. The hope is that by using anti-amyloid treatment, there is no further accumulation of amyloid, and the patient’s condition stabilises.
There are currently two licensed injectable medications available: Lecanemab and Donanemab.
Raffles Neuroscience Centre offers treatment options for Alzheimer's disease. Consult with our specialists to find out more.
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