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Brain scans (FDG PET) used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The scans show a healthy brain, a brain with mild cognitive impairment and a brain with Alzheimer's disease. Areas that are black and blue represent healthy brain metabolism. Areas that are green, yellow and red represent worsening brain metabolism as the disease progresses.
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Risk Factors
- Complications
- Prevention
Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that gets worse over time. It's characterized by changes in the brain that lead to deposits of certain proteins. Alzheimer's disease causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to eventually die. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia — a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behavior and soci...
Memory loss is the key symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Early signs include difficulty remembering recent events or conversations. But memory gets worse and other symptoms develop as the disease progresses. At first, someone with the disease may be aware of having trouble remembering things and thinking clearly. As symptoms get worse, a family membe...
The exact causes of Alzheimer's disease aren't fully understood. But at a basic level, brain proteins fail to function as usual. This disrupts the work of brain cells, also called neurons, and triggers a series of events. The neurons become damaged and lose connections to each other. They eventually die. Scientists believe that for most people, Alz...
Age
Increasing age is the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's isn't a part of typical aging. But as you grow older, the chances of developing it increases. One study found that every year there were four new diagnoses per 1,000 people ages 65 to 74. Among people ages 75 to 84, there were 32 new diagnoses per 1,000 people. For those 85 and older, there were 76 new diagnoses per 1,000 people.
Family history and genetics
The risk of developing Alzheimer's is somewhat higher if a first-degree relative — your parent or sibling — has the disease. Just how genes among families affect the risk is largely unexplained, and the genetic factors are likely complex. A better understood genetic factor is a form of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene. A form of the gene, APOEe4, increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. About 25% to 30% of the population carries APOEe4. But not everyone with this form of the gene develops t...
Down syndrome
Many people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer's disease. This is likely related to having three copies of chromosome 21. Chromosome 21 is the gene involved in the production of the protein that leads to the creation of beta-amyloid. Beta-amyloid fragments can become plaques in the brain. Symptoms tend to appear 10 to 20 years earlier in people with Down syndrome than they do for the general population.
Alzheimer's symptoms such as memory loss, language loss, impaired judgment and other brain changes can make it harder to manage other health conditions. A person with Alzheimer's disease may not be able to: 1. Tell someone about being in pain. 2. Explain symptoms of another illness. 3. Follow a treatment plan. 4. Explain medicine side effects. As A...
Alzheimer's disease is not a preventable condition. However, a number of lifestyle risk factors can be modified. Evidence suggests that taking steps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease may also lower your risk of developing dementia. To follow heart-healthy lifestyle choices that may reduce the risk of dementia: 1. Exercise regularly. 2. E...
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Dec 10, 2022 · Alzheimer’s disease (pronounced “alz-HAI-mirs”) is a brain condition that causes a progressive decline in memory, thinking, learning and organizing skills. It eventually affects a person’s ability to carry out basic daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s worsen ...
When brain cells degenerate and die, the brain dramatically shrinks in some areas of the brain. This was first observed when Dr. Alzheimer studied the brain of Auguste Deter, the first person to be officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and it's still observed in people with Alzheimer's disease today.
Traumatic brain injury – learn about symptoms, causes and increased risk of developing Alzheimer's or another type of dementia after the head injury. Call our 24 hours, seven days a week helpline at 800.272.3900
Jun 10, 2022 · CT scans are the most common type of brain scan used in dementia diagnosis. They are useful for ruling out other conditions that cause similar symptoms to dementia and at showing changes to brain structure that occur in diseases like Alzheimer’s. CT scans can show: stroke related damage.
