Head of Department of Neurology of Near East University Hospital Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amber Eker Bakkaloğlu, made a statement on the 21st September World Alzheimer’s Day and stated that the Alzheimer’s disease had become a public health matter as it was a disease becoming more and more common due to the aging of the population; such that one in every eight people aged 65; and one in every two people aged over 85 develop the Alzheimer’s disease. She pointed out that World Alzheimer’s day was initiated in 2012 to raise awareness and organise many various activities to challenge the stigma of dementia and September 2018 was the 7th World Alzheimer’s Day.

It was stated that forgetfulness was a common complaint at different age groups. As it is the case in other countries, the people who complain about forgetfulness in this country are afraid of developing the Alzheimer’s disease. However, it people must bear in mind that the majority of people with the complaint of forgetfulness have treatable causes of their case. Furthermore, it was expressed that people that are regarded as forgetful must be carefully taken at hand before reaching conclusions.

Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amber Eker Bakkaloğlu emphasised that the most common complaints were related to memory problems; alongside difficulty in completing familiar tasks such as getting dressed, preparing meals, using tools, and also personality-mood changes, language problems such as speech and understanding speech, not finding his/her way around, asking the same questions repeatedly, not being able to make calculations, withdrawal from work or social activities. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amber Eker Bakkaloğlu also pointed out that the presence of a family member who has the disease, or presence of cerebrovascular diseases for risk factors (hypertension, high cholesterol levels, diabetes) frequent brain traumas, low educational level and most important of all, advanced age were the main risk factors of developing the Alzheimer’s disease.

In this regard, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amber Eker Bakkaloğlu stressed that the most significant risk factor (aging) could not be avoided however, it was possible to control and delay the processes involved at the beginning stage of the disease. She said that keeping an eye on the risk factors involved regarding cerebrovascular diseases helped achieve this.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amber Eker Bakkaloğlu: “Neurocognitive Tests which are highly significant in the diagnosis and follow-up on the Alzheimer’s disease were first administered at Near East University Hospital in Northern Cyprus.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amber Eker Bakkaloğlu stated that there was a need to have close rapport with the patient’s relative, who will be making observations of the patient during the diagnosis process of the disease. Additionally, she added that the Neurocognitive tests enabled specialists to make evaluations of the patient’s memory, processing abilities, ability to copy shapes and many other functions of the brain. She proudly pointed out that these tests were first done in northern Cyprus at the Near East University Hospital and that with these tests; it was possible to make early diagnosis of the disease and slow down the processes involved. Furthermore, she said that it was highly necessary to check the thyroid hormones and vitamin B 12 levels of each patient.

In addition to the above, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amber Eker Bakkaloğlu provided further information regarding the treatment of the Alzheimer’s disease and said that the medication currently used in treatment increased the communication between the nerve cells, alongside increasing the level of hormones which have an impact on memory and slow down the process of brain cell death. Moreover, she explained that the drugs which have been newly developed also stopped the bad proteins from building up in the brain; since they caused the death of cells of the brain.