Seema Deo dies of Alzheimer's: Know causes, diagnosis, treatment of neurological condition

Acclaimed Bollywood actress Seema Deo breathed aged 81 on August 24. Reports confirmed that the Anand actress was grappling with Alzheimer's disease and ultimately succumbed to it in the wee hours of Thursday. While Alzheimer's is widely associated with memory loss, the ailment is much more than that. Let's know what causes it, potential treatments and preventive measures in conversation with medical experts.

3 things you need to know

• Alzheimer's is a progressive memory-deteriorating neurological disorder.
• Lifestyle choices and genetics influence Alzheimer's development.
• Early diagnosis and cognitive engagement can slow Alzheimer's progression.

What is Alzheimer's?

"Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological condition causing cognitive decline and memory loss. It is the predominant form of dementia, accounting for approximately 60-80% of dementia cases," explains Dr Jayendra Yadav, Senior Consultant Neurologist.

Contributing factors: Genetic and non-genetic Influences

The origins of Alzheimer's are multifaceted, involving genetic, environmental and lifestyle elements. "The disease involves abnormal protein accumulation in the brain, disrupting nerve cell communication and leading to their demise," Dr Yadav says. While age and family history play pivotal roles, genetic mutations and non-genetic factors like cardiovascular health, head trauma, lifestyle choices, education, cognitive reserve and even environmental exposure are contributing factors.

(Old age people suffer Alzheimer's Disease | Image: iStock)

Identifying the signs of Alzheimer's

"The primary early symptom is short-term memory loss, followed by language difficulties, disorientation, mood fluctuations and behavioural changes," says Dr Shiva Kumar R, Senior Consultant - Neurology & Epileptology. As the disease progresses, individuals withdraw from social circles, ultimately facing a decline in bodily functions.

Diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's

Diagnosing Alzheimer's isn't straightforward. Dr Kumar says, "A neurologist relies on history, cognitive testing, medical imaging, and blood tests to deduce a probable diagnosis." Definite diagnosis involves brain tissue examination, a rare procedure. Regrettably, Alzheimer's is incurable. Available treatments offer marginal symptomatic relief without altering the course of the disease.

(Alzheimer's Disease diagnosed based on history, cognitive testing, medical imaging, and blood tests | Image: iStock)

Treatment of Alzheimer's

Dr Kumar outlines the treatment landscape for Alzheimer's. "Pharmaceutical options include medications like tacrine, rivastigmine, galantamine, donepezil, and memantine, which provide modest benefits," he says. Psychosocial interventions complement drug therapy, while caregiving involves modifying the environment of the patient for comfort and safety.

Can Alzheimer's be prevented?

As for prevention, no definitive measures exist. Intellectual engagement, language acquisition, physical activity and certain diets (Japanese, Mediterranean) have shown the potential to reduce Alzheimer's risk. Flavonoid-rich foods like cocoa, red wine and tea might also play a role in prevention.