Picks Disease

Picks disease is a rare form of dementia which accounts for about 5% of all dementia types. In picks disease because the frontal lobes of the brain are affected, the first symptoms occur in emotional and social functioning. A genetic basis for the disease has not yet been determined. Most cases of picks disease are not inherited. People with picks disease have abnormalities called pick bodies and pick cells inside nerve cells in the damaged areas of the brain. Picks disease is characterized by a slowly progressive deterioration of social skills and changes in personality, along with impairment of intellect, memory, and language. Pick bodies and Pick cells contain an abnormal form of a protein called tau. This protein is found in all nerve cells. People with picks disease tend to behave inappropriately in different social settings. The changes in behavior continue to get worse and are often one of the most disturbing symptoms of the disease.

Pick's disease is seen in the elderly, with women more commonly affected than men. Transmission may be hereditary. There is a small number of picks disease families where the disease is passed on in the genes. In these cases, inheriting the gene means developing the disease, often as young as 40. Picks disease is marked by the presence of abnormalities in brain cells, which can be found in the affected areas and elsewhere in the brain. Risk factors may include a having a personal or family history of picks disease or senile dementia, though the genetic basis of the disease has not yet been determined. There is no proven effective treatment for picks disease. Medications may be required to control aggressive or agitated behaviors or behaviors that are dangerous to the person or to others.

Causes of Picks disease

The common causes and risk factor's of Picks disease:

The exact cause of picks disease is unknown.
A personal or family history of Pick's disease or senile dementia.

Symptoms of Picks disease

Some sign and symptom related to Picks Disease are as follows:

Problems with personal hygiene.
Loss of memory.
Difficulty concentrating.
Inability to function or interact in social or personal situations.
Inappropriate behavior.
Complete loss of speech.

Treatment of Picks disease

Medications may be required to control aggressive or agitated behaviors or behaviors that are dangerous to the person or to others.
Sensory function should be evaluated and augmented as needed by the use of hearing-aids, glasses, cataract surgery, etc.
Some medications, such as anticholinergics, analgesics, cimetidine, central nervous system depressants, and lidocaine may heighten confusion and non-essential ones should be discontinued.
Behavior modification may be helpful for some people in controlling unacceptable or dangerous behaviors.
Some patients may need hearing-aids, glasses, cataract surgery, or other treatments.

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