Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized in the brain by abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (neurofibrillary tangles) composed of misplaced proteins. Age is the most important risk factor for AD; the number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65. Three genes have been discovered that cause early onset (familial) AD. Other genetic mutations that cause excessive accumulation of amyloid protein are associated with age-related (sporadic) AD. Symptoms of AD include memory loss, language deterioration, impaired ability to mentally manipulate visual information, poor judgment, confusion, restlessness, and mood swings. Eventually AD destroys cognition, personality, and the ability to function. The early symptoms of AD, which include forgetfulness and loss of concentration, are often missed because they resemble natural signs of aging.

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... Alzheimer disease is a degenerative disease of the brain that causes gradual loss of memory, judgment, and ability to function. The disorder usually appears in people older than age 65, but there are also forms of early-onset disease, which are less common.

Genetic changes are related to the following types of Alzheimer disease.

  • Alzheimer disease, type 1
  • Alzheimer disease, type 2
  • Alzheimer disease, type 3
  • Alzheimer disease, type 4

Additional types of Alzheimer disease have been reported, but the responsible mutations have not been adequately described, or the cause is not genetic.

Memory loss is the most common sign of this disease. The loss of memory becomes more than the usual forgetfulness experienced by most older people. Even in familiar settings, a person with Alzheimer disease may get lost or become confused. Normal daily tasks, such as doing simple math and naming objects and people, become challenging. Preparing meals, doing laundry, and performing other household chores can also become difficult. Problems with dressing, eating, and personal care as well as agitation, restlessness, and inappropriate behavior develop as the disease progresses. In addition, personality changes and an inability to interact in a socially appropriate manner are common. The patient's speech eventually becomes difficult to understand, and the individual may require total care. The course of the disease is usually 8 to 10 years, but can range from 1 to 25 years. ...

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"Alzheimer" redirects here. For other uses, see Alzheimer (disambiguation ...
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Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms

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Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease: An Overview
... What is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, irreversible, and devastating brain disorder for which there is no cure. With Alzheimer’s disease, nerve cells in the brain (neurons)...
Source: Cleveland Clinic

Alzheimer’s Disease: Overview of Diagnostic Tests
... What tests are used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease cannot be definitely diagnosed until after death, when the brain can be closely examined for certain microscopic changes caused...
Source: Cleveland Clinic

Alzheimer's Disease Prevention

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Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease
... Can Alzheimer’s disease be prevented? Because the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, there currently is nothing that can be done to prevent the disease. In addition, because the controllab...
Source: Cleveland Clinic

Prevention
... Right now, there''s no way to prevent the onset of Alzheimer''s disease. Researchers had developed what looked to be a promising vaccine against Alzheimer''s that worked by stopping deposits of beta-a...
Source: MayoClinic

Alzheimer's Disease Treatment

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Complications
... Most people with Alzheimer''s don''t die of the disease itself, but of a secondary illness, such as pneumonia. In advanced Alzheimer''s disease, people may lose all ability to care for themselves. The...
Source: MayoClinic

Treatment
... Currently, there''s no cure for Alzheimer''s disease. Medications and caregiving are the primary treatments. Medications Current medications for Alzheimer''s can''t stop or reverse the underlying dise...
Source: MayoClinic

Alzheimer's Disease Support

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Tips for Caregivers
... The following tips offer some guidance on how to maintain and improve your caregiving relationship: Take time for yourself. Make sure that you have time to relax-if necessary enlist the help of other ...
Source: Cleveland Clinic

Caregiving: Preparing Your Home
... In taking the proper steps to become a successful caregiver, it is essential that you prepare your home for you loved one’s arrival. Likewise, if your loved one has experienced a mild stroke, or has a...
Source: Cleveland Clinic

Alzheimer's Disease Other

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Tips for Caregivers
... The following tips offer some guidance on how to maintain and improve your caregiving relationship: Take time for yourself. Make sure that you have time to relax-if necessary enlist the help of other ...
Source: Cleveland Clinic

Caregiving: Preparing Your Home
... In taking the proper steps to become a successful caregiver, it is essential that you prepare your home for you loved one’s arrival. Likewise, if your loved one has experienced a mild stroke, or has a...
Source: Cleveland Clinic

Alzheimer's Disease Treatment

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Early Alzheimer''s Disease
... Contents Terms You Need to Know Purpose of this Booklet What is Alzheimer''s Disease? Who Is Affected? Possible Signs of Alzheimer''s Disease Consulting the Doctor Special Tests Getting the Right Care...
Source: HealthWorld

Early Alzheimer''s Disease: Recognition and Assessment.
... Background Dementia is a syndrome in which progressive deterioration in intellectual abilities is so severe that it interferes with the person''s usual social and occupational functioning. An estimate...
Source: HealthWorld

   

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