Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are both neurodegenerative illnesses affecting the brain. Their signs, biochemical and physical presentations (pathophysiological mechanisms), causes, and treatments, on the other hand, differ.
Parkinson’s disease is sometimes misunderstood as a condition that solely affects mobility, and similarly, Alzheimer’s is confused with psychological insanity.
However, many patients with Parkinson’s disease report loss of thought, impaired memory, shorter attention range, and trouble finding phrases.
Anyway, the differences between both diseases will clear many things out if you’re looking for clarity and knowledge, you’re at the right place.
Key Takeaways
- Alzheimer’s disease primarily impacts memory and cognitive function, while Parkinson’s affects movement and motor skills.
- Alzheimer’s disease results from abnormal protein deposits in the brain, while Parkinson’s disease stems from a lack of dopamine production.
- Treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease focus on symptom management, while Parkinson’s disease treatments can include medication, therapy, and surgery.
Alzheimer’s Disease vs Parkinson’s Disease
Alzheimer’s, a brain disease caused by the accumulation of a protein around the brain cells and hinder the neurotransmitters to reach those cells resulting in shrinkage of cells which effects memory, language, and judgement of a person. Parkinson’s disease is a brain abnormality causing unrestrained movements like shaking, rigidity and poor coordination.
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition that causes the central nervous system to shrink (atrophy) and the death of brain cells.
Alzheimer’s disease is by far the most prevalent degenerative brain disease, which is defined as a progressive loss of cognitive, behavioural, and social abilities that impairs a person’s capacity to operate alone.
Mental issues are one of the earliest indicators of Alzheimer’s disease, however, the symptoms and severity vary among individuals.
Other elements of thinking, such as identifying suitable words, optics problems, and impaired logic or judgment, may also indicate Alzheimer’s disease in its early phases.
Parkinson’s disease, on the other hand, is a mobility as well as disability issue that impacts the neurological system. Clinical signs begin to unveil sporadically and may begin with a barely perceptible trembling in only one hand.
Shaking is frequent, although they are accompanied by stiffness or slowed mobility. The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease intensify as the illness progresses.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Alzheimer’s Disease | Parkinson’s Diseases |
|---|---|---|
| Brief Description | Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition that causes brain atrophy and CNS malfunctioning. | Parkinson’s disease is a mobility as well as disability issue that impacts the neurological system |
| Symptoms | 1. Wrong decision and judgement 2. Having trouble remembering the date or the season 3. Being unable to react due to a lack of rational reasoning. | 1. Disability in facial muscles and unable to react, smile, or cry due to muscular disability. 2. Unable to walk or stand straight. |
| Cause | Lack of Acetylcholine | Lack of Dopamine |
| Age Group | Alzheimer’s disease affects around 4 million people in the United States aged 65 and up. | It is most found in those over the age of 60. |
| Treatments | Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. | Continuous dopamine precursors. |
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain illness that wreaks havoc on memory and concentration capabilities, as well as the capability to transport out some of the most basic routine work like thinking, reacting, and even standing straight.
Symptoms develop in the mid-sixties in the majority of persons with the illness (those of us with late-onset form). Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is exceedingly rare and develops between the ages of 30 to 60.
The far more frequent cause of cognition diminution in elderly people is Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease affects around 4 million people in the United States aged 65 and up. Eighty percent of them are 75 years of age or older.
It is expected to affect 60 percent to 70 percent of the approximately 50 million individuals globally who have demented memory.
Everyone experiences memory issues now and again, but Alzheimer’s disease causes cognitive problems that continue and increases exponentially along with the onset of the first symptoms, impairing one’s ability to perform at home or in the workplace.
Alzheimer’s disease impairs concentration and reasoning, particularly when it comes to complex notions like numbers, letters, creativity, and imagination.
Multitasking is particularly tough, and managing finances, balancing chequebooks, and paying payments on time can be difficult. A person with this disorder may end up losing the ability to identify and cope with arithmetic and symbols.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a mobility condition that affects the brain. Tremors, sluggishness of mobility, tight limbs, shaky walking, and difficulty with postural control are all typical problems that cluster the patient together, rendering him/her disabled in terms of mobility as well as general CNS-related factors like thinking properly as well.
The illness has no known cure. Drugs are used to treat most people to maintain a high quality of life. Surgery can assist some individuals with their discomfort.
Your face may exhibit very little emotion due to disability cramming the facial nerves of your face in the initial phases of the illness. When patients walk, their arms may not swing, and the sense of balance is literally “forgotten” by the patient’s body.
It’s possible that your voice will become hushed or garbled. The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease intensify as the disease develops.
Although there is no permanent treatment for Parkinson’s disease, medicines can help you feel better, not from the disease but from the symptoms it possesses.
Sometimes, your doctor may recommend surgery to alleviate your discomfort by regulating particular neural pathways.
Parkinson’s disease affects around half as many males as it does women. It is most found in those over the age of 60. Nevertheless, up to 10% of individuals are detected before they reach the age of 50.
Main Differences Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease
- Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a lack of acetylcholine, whereas a lack of dopamine causes Parkinson’s disease.
- Alzheimer’s disease targets the patient’s logical reasoning as well as brain degradation abilities, whereas Parkinson’s disease causes mobility disabilities.
- Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes completely cured by medical and surgical treatments, whereas Parkinson’s disease is non-curable.
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, whereas Parkinson’s disease is treated with a continuous dopamine precursor.
- Alzheimer’s disease leads to dementia, whereas Parkinson’s disease leads to permanent paralysis.
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