Alzheimer's white matter lesions are they the same as M.S. lesions?

[terric]

This worries me alot. I sometimes think that I might have alzheimer's and not M.S. because my memory is getting worse and not just a little bit worse.

I used to work in a Dr's office and we had an alzheimer's pt. who didn't have one morsel of cognition. Her husband was so sweet. He lead her by the hand. She just stared into space. She never said a word or showed any facial expressions.

I can't imagine living like that. It's as though your dead and not buried and your family has to care for you.

Oh well, It's late. I just got home from work and I am tired.
Gotta go to bed.

terric

[euphoniaa]

Hi Terric,

I think Alzheimer's is characterized more by "tangles," extensive beta amyloid plaques (different than MS ones), and massive degeneration throughout the brain rather than specific lesions in certain areas that you find with MS. Here's a link to a picture of the "shriveled" Alzheimer's brain.
http://www.alz.org/brain/09.asp

And here's a link to that whole Alzheimer's Association site, with a Brain Tour. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_4719.asp

And here's a link to one of my favorite sites, The Whole Brain Atlas, where you can compare all the different types of brain diseases through "cine" tours. If you click on the MS one and pick a "slice" of the brain, you can watch as lesions come and go over even a month's time. Alzheimer's brains don't do that.
http://www.med.harvard.edu/AANLIB/home.html

There are differences between their appearance, but of course, it takes experts to really read the MRIs. Or an autopsy.

And yeah, Alzheimer's is tragic. We watched my mom slowly deteriorate into a shell of a human being for years.

[terric]

Hi, Susuan,

Thank you, thank you thank you!

terric

[lady_express_44]

Unfortunately we are not immune to other diseases/conditions because we have been dealt this card, but your issues may easily be attributed to MS.

You might want to ask about neuropsych (or cognitive) testing next time you are in to see your doc.

Cherie