What's Happening in the BrainDelusions and hallucinations occur in many illnesses other than Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease
A neurological disease that affects memory and behaviour. It is characterized by beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. There is no known cause but genetics and lifestyle are thought to play a role.. They reflect the relative imbalance of brain chemicals Brain chemicals
Chemicals released by the neurons in the brain in order to communicate.. In particular, there is relatively too much dopamine Dopamine
A neurotransmitter found in the brain that has been associated with Parkinson's disease. in the brain. Drugs that are used to treat delusions and hallucinations, block the activity of dopamine, and are known as neuroleptics. Dopamine occurs in many parts of the brain, and is important in the control of movement. Some neuroleptics, especially the earlier ones, tended to block dopamine in many parts of the brain, and not just in the areas giving rise to delusions and hallucinations. This is h ow they caused side effects, such as slow movement, as is seen with Parkinsonism Parkinsonism
When you have a disorder other than Parkinson's, which features motor impairments similar to those experienced in Parkinson's disease. They are usually still related to problems with the amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine..
The treatment of hallucinations in dementia can be complicated, with much of the evidence for treatment effects being disputed. For example, there is a concern that some of the newer agents, while effective, also can increase the risk of stroke Stroke
Blood supply to the brain is interrupted, usually by a blood clot. As a result, a portion of the brain can die from not receiving enough blood and oxygen.
and related illnesses. On the other hand, the alternative is often to use older drugs that have been less thoroughly evaluated than the newer ones. Issues about treatment are discussed in the chapter on "Psychotropic agents in Alzheimer disease" by David M. Blass, and Peter V. Rabins in the book Trial Designs and Outcomes in Dementia Therapeutic Research, published in London by Taylor & Francis, 2005, and edited by Kenneth Rockwood and Serge Gauthier.