Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder and the most common cause of dementia. It accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases and primarily affects older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which lead to the death of nerve cells and the breakdown of neural connections.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s typically develop slowly and worsen over time. In the early stages, the most common sign is difficulty remembering newly learned information, as the disease usually first affects the part of the brain associated with learning. Other early symptoms may include challenges in planning or solving problems, confusion with time or place, and trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
As the disease progresses to the moderate stage, damage occurs in areas of the brain controlling language, reasoning, sensory processing, and conscious thought. Symptoms become more pronounced and may include increased memory loss, confusion about events, difficulty recognizing family and friends, and impaired judgment leading to poor decision-making.
In advanced Alzheimer’s, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, carry on a conversation, and eventually control movement. They may still say words or phrases but communicating pain becomes difficult. Personality changes can be significant, including suspiciousness, delusions, or compulsive, repetitive behavior.
While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, early diagnosis allows for better management of symptoms and more time to plan for the future. Treatments are available that may temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
