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Alzheimer's Disease Information
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s
ability to carry out daily activities. The most common form of dementia among
older people is Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer's Disease), which initially
involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.
Although scientists are learning more every day, right now they still do not
know what causes Alzheimer's Disease, and there is no cure.
Alzheimer's Disease Statistical Information
Scientists think that as many as 4.5 million Americans suffer from
Alzheimer's Disease. The disease usually begins after age 60, and risk goes up
with age. While younger people also may get Alzheimer's Disease, it is much less
common. About 5 percent of men and women ages 65 to 74 have Alzheimer's Disease,
and nearly half of those age 85 and older may have the disease. It is important
to note, however, that Alzheimer's Disease is not a normal part of aging.
Alzheimer's Disease Historical Information
Alzheimer's Disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor. In
1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died
of an unusual mental illness. He found abnormal clumps (now called amyloid
plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called neurofibrillary tangles).
Today, these plaques and tangles in the brain are considered signs of
Alzheimer's Disease.
Alzheimer's Disease Basic Information
Scientists also have found other brain changes in people with Alzheimer's
Disease. Nerve cells die in areas of the brain that are vital to memory and
other mental abilities, and connections between nerve cells are disrupted. There
also are lower levels of some of the chemicals in the brain that carry messages
back and forth between nerve cells. Alzheimer's Disease may impair thinking and
memory by disrupting these messages.
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