Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive 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 noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness in 1906.

Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease usually develop slowly and worsen over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. The most common early symptom is difficulty remembering newly learned information. As the disease advances, symptoms can include problems with language, disorientation (including easily getting lost), mood swings, loss of motivation, and behavioral issues.

The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that affect the brain over time. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but there are medicines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can help manage some symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

Alzheimer's disease is classified into two types: early-onset Alzheimer's disease, which occurs between a person's 30s and mid-60s, and late-onset Alzheimer's disease, which occurs after a person's mid-60s. Both types can be related to a person's genes in some way.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is based on a comprehensive medical evaluation that includes a thorough medical history, physical and neurological exams, mental status tests, and other diagnostic tests such as brain imaging. The disease is diagnosed when all other possible causes of dementia symptoms have been ruled out.

Treatment for Alzheimer's disease includes medicines that can help with symptoms and newer medicines that can help slow decline in thinking and functioning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla) for people with mild Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease.

The prognosis for people with Alzheimer's disease varies, but on average, people with the disease live between three and 11 years after diagnosis. However, some people live 20 years or more. The disease can be devastating for the person with Alzheimer's and their family and caregivers.

Research into the causes, treatments, and prevention of Alzheimer's disease is ongoing. Scientists are studying biomarkers (biological signs of disease found in brain images, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood) to detect early changes in the brains of people with mild cognitive impairment and in cognitively normal people who may be at greater risk for Alzheimer's.

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