Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys memory, thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults.
Symptoms
Memory loss, confusion, difficulty solving problems or planning, trouble completing familiar tasks, withdrawal from work or social activities, mood and personality changes, poor judgment, misplacing items, and problems with language.
Treatments
Medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine) and memantine can temporarily slow symptom progression. Supportive care, cognitive stimulation therapy, and lifestyle modifications may help manage symptoms. There is currently no cure.
Risk Factors
Age (most common in people 65 and older), family history, genetics (APOE-e4 gene), head trauma, poor cardiovascular health, lack of physical activity, and low educational attainment.
Prevalence
An estimated 6.9 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, making it the most common cause of dementia among older adults in the United States.
