ok.. in case anyone's interested in knowing...

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Hi, Dr. Cha!

Is the main cause of Alzheimer's disease:
1) the low levels of Acetylcholine, or
2) the deficit of the central executive of the working memory?

If drugs to alleviate Alzheimer's symptoms make up for the brain's lack of ACh, does it affect the central executive in any way too?

Thanks!

-Huiting.


Hi Huiting,

There are many hypotheses on the cause of Alzheimer's disease. Scientists are still searching for the root cause of the problem. But what we currently know for sure is that Alzheimer's results from the formation of plagues in the brain that entangles, clogs and disrupts the normal functioning of the neurons. Increasing the level of acetylcholine seems to help alleviate memory problem seen in Alzheimer's patients but it is not a cure and thus not a long-term solution.

I do not remember having come across the fact that Alzheimer's is due to a deficit in the central executive of the working memory... where did you learn that, Huiting? I am not surprised that it is one of the many hypotheses put forth though.


cheers,
ys


Hi, Dr. Cha!

It says in the Memory chapt of santrock(pg 315) that "Working-memory deficits also are involved in Alzheimer's disease..... Baddeley believes that central executive of the working-memory model is the culprit --- Alzheimer's patients have great difficulties coordinating different mental activities, one of the central executive's functions."

Hmmm.. so we just have to know for now that there is still no specific cure for Alzheimer's to date?

-Huiting


Well, it is reasonable to assume that difficulties in forming new memory among Alzheimer's patients can be traced to the STM, and given the central role played by the central executive in Baddeley's Working Memory model, it is easy to understand why Baddeley postulated that the central excecutive plays a part. However, the central executive cannot be the main cause because the most damaging effect of Alzheimer's is its ability to wipe away LTM too.

To answer your last statement, I think it is always good, for knowledge sake, to know as much as what the textbook says about Alzheimer's, rather than the simple fact that you stated. :)


~ys
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yeap, i'm smarter this time.. no more stupid smileys. ahahas. okkk. back to work. going offline le! anything drop me a tinkle or an sms! (:

gambate~ =)