Alzheimer y demencia Senil como enfermedades prevenibles

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and senile dementia are the main causes of cognitive impairment
in the elderly population, with distinct characteristics and treatments. AD is a progressive
neurodegenerative disorder, where the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein
tangles in the brain leads to neuronal loss, affecting memory and the ability to perform daily
activities. Senile dementia, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses several forms
of age-related dementia, Alzheimer’s being the most common. AD is responsible for up to 70% of
dementia cases worldwide, with more than 50 million people affected, a figure that increases with
age, particularly after the age of 65.
In Latin America, the prevalence of dementia is high and continues to increase due to population
aging and the presence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and sedentary
lifestyle. The clinical symptoms of AD and senile dementia begin with memory problems,
disorientation, personality changes and difficulties in performing complex tasks. As the disease
progresses, these symptoms worsen, leading to increased dependence of the patient to perform
basic activities, along with behavioral disorders and severe dementia. In terms of treatment,
progress has been limited. The aim of this review is to describe AD and senile dementia as a disease.