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Basic InformationMore InformationLatest NewsVets With Stress Disorder More Likely to Develop DementiaMental 'Exercise' May Only Hide Signs of Alzheimer'sBiobehavioral Approach Linked to Benefits in DementiaHealth Tip: Signs That People With Dementia Shouldn't DriveLink Between Diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease StrengthenedDeep Brain Stimulation Studied for Alzheimer'sThree Genotypes Confirmed as Alzheimer's Disease Risk Loci'Biomarkers' Could Spot Alzheimer's Disease Early, Studies SuggestDeep Brain Stimulation May Hold Promise in Alzheimer'sCould Lifestyle Changes Cut Dementia Rates?Higher Education Level May Help Brain Cope With DementiaDementia May Differ in Those With and Without DiabetesNew Criteria for Alzheimer's Diagnosis ProposedAssociation Found Between Alzheimer's and AnemiaAlzheimer's Research Spotlights Protein 'Tangles' in BrainEmotions May Be Blunted in Alzheimer's PatientsExercise, Vitamin D Seem to Cut Alzheimer's Risk: ResearchersBlood Protein Reflects Severity and Progression in Alzheimer'sDepression Linked to Higher Risk of Alzheimer's, DementiaNew Alzheimer's Clues IdentifiedPredicting Alzheimer's Risk in Patients With Cognitive ProblemsExercise May Guard Girls Against Dementia in Senior YearsExperts Optimistic About Solving Puzzle of Alzheimer'sBrain Stimulation Seems to Boost Language Skills in Alzheimer's PatientsScant Evidence Links Any Factor to Alzheimer's PreventionLifestyle Changes Are No Guarantee Against Alzheimer'sNew Potential Cause of Alzheimer's Disease DetectedSpecific Care Plan Does Not Slow Decline in Alzheimer'sBrain Injury Patients Plagued by Poor Sleep, DepressionA Protein Links Alzheimer's, Down SyndromeAlzheimer's Costs Could Explode by Mid-CenturyMajor Depression Often Follows Brain InjuryTreating Common Irregular Heartbeat Might Also Ward Off Alzheimer'sNew Alzheimer's Risk Genes IdentifiedIf Your Spouse Gets Alzheimer's, You Might, TooSurgery for Treatable Dementia Might Also Help in Alzheimer'sNew Finding Could Mark Shift in Alzheimer's ResearchAbnormal Heart Rhythm Linked to Alzheimer'sTreatment Eases Involuntary Laughing, Crying Tied to Alzheimer's, MSNew Alzheimer's Gene IdentifiedEven As Memory Fades, Emotions LingerIn Alzheimer's, Reduced Lean Mass Tied to Brain AtrophyHealthy Diet Could Cut Alzheimer's Disease RiskDocs Issue Guidelines for Drivers With DementiaSimple Memory Test May Detect Early Alzheimer'sAmericans Sustain 1.7 Million Traumatic Brain Injuries a YearBrain Function May Drop Quickly Before Alzheimer'sClinical Trials Update: March 22, 2010Could Lowering Blood Pressure Help Stop Dementia?Technique Shows Potential of Bapineuzumab in Alzheimer's Questions and AnswersLinksBook Reviews |
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Alzheimer's DiseaseCarrie Hill, Ph.D. and Natalie Reiss, Ph.D.Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia. For many decades, people thought that "senility" was a natural part of getting older; consequently, AD did not receive much attention as a real medical disorder. It is now considered a major public health problem that is causing serious issues for families and society. According to the National Institutes on Aging, the cost of caring for all of the people in the US with AD is about $100 billion every year.
Alzheimer's Disease is not a normal part of aging or "just what happens when we get old." If AD was part of the natural aging process, we'd have a very large group of people (every person over 65) walking around today with this disorder! As we age, we do experience minor changes in memory and thinking. But, these changes do not seriously impair our daily functioning or our ability to live independently and take care of ourselves. There are several differences between normal aging and Alzheimer's Disease:
- Forgetfulness - People aging normally might forget part of an experience (I can't remember what I had for breakfast yesterday). People with Alzheimer's Disease will forget the entire experience (I can't remember yesterday morning at all).
- Remembering - People aging normally may forget something (such as a movie recommendation for a friend), but they will eventually recall the desired information (e.g., later in the evening or the next day). People with Alzheimer's will not recall the information at a later time.
- Comprehension - People aging normally can usually follow verbal or written instructions with no problem (e.g., filling out a sweepstakes entry or following a recipe). People with Alzheimer's Disease become less and less able to follow instructions (or multiple step directions) as the disease progresses.
- Memory Aids - People aging normally will usually benefit from using notes and other reminders (e.g., a grocery list). People with Alzheimer's gradually become less able to benefit from memory aids (e.g., they will forget that they have a list, or forget how to use the list).
- Self-Care - People aging normally may be stiff or have some aches and pains, but they can still complete personal care tasks (e.g., bathing, dressing, styling hair, going to the bathroom, etc.). People with Alzheimer's lose the ability to perform these kinds of tasks because they cannot remember the steps involved, and eventually, they won't remember when these tasks are appropriate.
There are different terms that health care professionals use to further specify different types of Alzheimer's Disease. "Familial AD" runs in families (i.e., is passed on from generation to generation). Individuals who develop AD before age 65 are said to have "early-onset Alzheimer's Disease." Early-onset familial Alzheimer's Disease is the most aggressive form of AD; those affected by it suffer a swifter cognitive decline than individuals with late-onset Alzheimer's Disease (occurring after age 65). |
