Alzheimers disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia among older adults. The disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who first noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness.

The symptoms of Alzheimers disease include changes in thinking, remembering, reasoning, and behavior, which are known as dementia. Memory problems are typically one of the first signs of Alzheimers, though initial symptoms may vary from person to person. Other symptoms may include difficulty finding the right words, vision/spatial issues, and impaired reasoning or judgment.

Alzheimers disease is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimers, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. On average, a person with Alzheimers lives 4 to 8 years after diagnosis but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors.

The causes of Alzheimers disease are not yet fully understood, but probably include a combination of age-related changes in the brain, along with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. There is a great deal of interest in the relationship between cognitive decline and vascular conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, as well as metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity.

There is currently no known cure for Alzheimers disease, but medical management can improve the quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimers disease and for their caregivers. Treatment addresses several areas, including helping people maintain brain health, managing behavioral symptoms, and slowing or delaying symptoms of the disease.