Neurodegenerative disease is an umbrella term for a wide range of neurological disorders that involve the slow and progressive damage and ultimate death of neurons in the brain or peripheral nervous system. Research suggests that more than 50 million people around the world suffer from neurodegenerative diseases.
Some of the most common neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, among others. There is no cure for neurodegenerative diseases. However, treatment aims to slow their progression whenever possible and ease physical and mental symptoms to improve quality of life.
Thus, to ensure timely detection and medical interventions, one must understand the differences in symptoms, risk factors, and treatments for both of these neurodegenerative diseases.
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder that involves progressive cognitive and behavioral decline, destroying memory, thinking, learning, and the ability to perform simple everyday tasks. It's the most common form of dementia. It usually starts at 65 years of age, though it can occur earlier in some cases.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that causes progressive decline in motor functions of the nervous system, causing trouble in movement, balance, and coordination.
The later stages of the disease can eventually lead to dementia which develops in ~50% of PD patients after 10+ years, including cognitive decline and the inability to carry out routine daily tasks. It usually starts at 60 years of age, though it can occur earlier in rare cases.
Though both neurodegenerative diseases involve the toxic buildup of proteins in parts of the brain, causing the death of nerve cells, there are differences in the type of accumulated proteins and the specific brain areas affected.
These are given in the table below:
Alzheimer’s disease | Parkinson’s disease |
Aggregation of beta-amyloid proteins outside neurons and tau proteins within the neurons. | Aggregation of alpha-synuclein proteins within the neurons, called Lewy bodies. |
The hippocampus and cortex of the brain are affected | Substantia nigra of brain is affected |
The different symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are depicted in the table below:
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease | Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease |
● Memory issues ● Behavioral changes ● Loss of clear thinking ● Difficulty finding words
| ● Slowing of movement ● Tremors ● Stiff muscles ● Balance and coordination issues ● Eating and speaking difficulties ● Urinary problems and constipation ● Sleep disturbance ● Sexual dysfunction |
Alzheimer’s can occur due to a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors, while Parkinson’s can occur due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Though old age and head trauma are common risk factors for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, there are notable differences between them.
The differences in the risk factors for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease are given in the table below:
Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease | Risk Factors of Parkinson’s Disease |
● Family History ● Genetics ● Down’s syndrome ● Heart conditions such as hypertension and stroke ● Smoking
| ● Male gender ● Toxin exposure (pesticides, metals) ● Decrease in norepinephrine |
Treatment for both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s aims at managing symptoms and slowing further progression of the disease. These include common treatments like medications, lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and alternative remedies like acupuncture and tai chi.
However, there are certain differences in their treatments. These are depicted in the table below:
Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease | Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease |
● Cognitive and behavioral therapy ● Socialization | ● Physical therapy ● Speech and occupational therapy ● Deep brain stimulation ● Surgery ( extreme cases) |
Though Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are chronic illnesses, early diagnosis and proper treatment can help manage and prevent the worsening of symptoms. Thus, individuals must consult a medical professional for a customized treatment plan tailored to their needs.
Furthermore, having a comprehensive health insurance plan, like the ones offered by Star Health, facilitates easy access to quality medical care and the top healthcare professionals without breaking the bank.
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