Alzheimer's Basics
Knowledge is power. Learn about the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, the prevalence of Alzheimer's, and its possible causes and risk factors. While there's no guarantee that a person will not get Alzheimer's, understanding the disease is the best way to reduce your risk and cope with it effectively if it affects your family.
What is Alzheimer's?
What's the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia? Can other disorders mimic Alzheimer's? How many people have Alzheimer's, and how much does it cost families? Learn the basics about this complicated disease.
What's the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia? Can other disorders mimic Alzheimer's? How many people have Alzheimer's, and how much does it cost families? Learn the basics about this complicated disease.
What Causes Alzheimer's Disease?
While scientists are still trying to determine what causes Alzheimer's, they have pinpointed several factors that increase a person's risk for developing the disease. Understanding how plaques and tangles, age, family history, and lifestyle affect risk can empower people to accept the factors they cannot change and make adjustments in the areas over which they do have control.
While scientists are still trying to determine what causes Alzheimer's, they have pinpointed several factors that increase a person's risk for developing the disease. Understanding how plaques and tangles, age, family history, and lifestyle affect risk can empower people to accept the factors they cannot change and make adjustments in the areas over which they do have control.
Myths and Realities of Alzheimer's Disease
About 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease today. Though scientists have learned much about the illness, many questions remain about the causes, progression, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Myths only add to the fear of Alzheimer's. Get the truth about Alzheimer's disease here.
About 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease today. Though scientists have learned much about the illness, many questions remain about the causes, progression, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Myths only add to the fear of Alzheimer's. Get the truth about Alzheimer's disease here.
What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Years ago, memory loss was considered to simply be an inevitable part of aging. Today, however, we know that memory loss once considered normal now may be an early sign of disease, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Learn more about mild cognitive impairment and memory loss in aging adults.
Years ago, memory loss was considered to simply be an inevitable part of aging. Today, however, we know that memory loss once considered normal now may be an early sign of disease, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Learn more about mild cognitive impairment and memory loss in aging adults.
Is Depression a Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s Disease?
Depression and Alzheimer's disease share a complex relationship. Depression can include symptoms that look like Alzheimer's; depression and Alzheimer's disease can also occur simultaneously. Researchers are now looking at a third way that depression and Alzheimer's may be related: They want to know whether depression is a risk factor for the disease.
Depression and Alzheimer's disease share a complex relationship. Depression can include symptoms that look like Alzheimer's; depression and Alzheimer's disease can also occur simultaneously. Researchers are now looking at a third way that depression and Alzheimer's may be related: They want to know whether depression is a risk factor for the disease.
Prognosis for People With Alzheimer's Disease
Although there's no cure for Alzheimer's, there's often confusion about whether it's a fatal disease. Learn about the prognosis for someone who's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Although there's no cure for Alzheimer's, there's often confusion about whether it's a fatal disease. Learn about the prognosis for someone who's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Early-Onset Alzheimer's: Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
About 5% of those with Alzheimer's disease have early-onset Alzheimer's, which affects people younger than age 65. Learn about the signs, symptoms, and diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
About 5% of those with Alzheimer's disease have early-onset Alzheimer's, which affects people younger than age 65. Learn about the signs, symptoms, and diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Coping With Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Although many of us think of Alzheimer's disease as a condition that mostly affects older people, early-onset Alzheimer's disease actually affects people under the age of 65. Learn about the diagnosis, treatment, and challenges of early-onset Alzheimer's.
Although many of us think of Alzheimer's disease as a condition that mostly affects older people, early-onset Alzheimer's disease actually affects people under the age of 65. Learn about the diagnosis, treatment, and challenges of early-onset Alzheimer's.
What's the Difference Between Alzheimer's and Normal Age-Related Memory Loss?
Is there a difference between Alzheimer's disease and normal age-related memory loss? While people do experience minor changes in their memory and thinking as they age, these changes don't affect daily functioning or the ability to live independently. Learn about the differences between normal age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.
Is there a difference between Alzheimer's disease and normal age-related memory loss? While people do experience minor changes in their memory and thinking as they age, these changes don't affect daily functioning or the ability to live independently. Learn about the differences between normal age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.
What If It's Not Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia -– in fact, almost two-thirds of dementia cases are due to Alzheimer's disease. However, a host of other conditions can also cause dementia, including the 10 described here.
Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia -– in fact, almost two-thirds of dementia cases are due to Alzheimer's disease. However, a host of other conditions can also cause dementia, including the 10 described here.
Is It Really Alzheimer's Disease?
If you think your loved one may have Alzheimer's, it's important to obtain an accurate diagnosis because the cause may be a reversible disorder. Learn about reversible medical conditions that can look like Alzheimer's, such as pseudodementia, thyroid problems, dehydration, malnutrition, infections, and medication problems.
If you think your loved one may have Alzheimer's, it's important to obtain an accurate diagnosis because the cause may be a reversible disorder. Learn about reversible medical conditions that can look like Alzheimer's, such as pseudodementia, thyroid problems, dehydration, malnutrition, infections, and medication problems.
Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease -- An Overview
Late-stage Alzheimer's is a time of slowing down compared to earlier stages, when behavioral symptoms are more prominent. Still, it's important to know about late-stage symptoms and how to provide optimal care in regard to late-stage nutrition, bowel and bladder issues, immobility, infections and illnesses, and pain and comfort.
Late-stage Alzheimer's is a time of slowing down compared to earlier stages, when behavioral symptoms are more prominent. Still, it's important to know about late-stage symptoms and how to provide optimal care in regard to late-stage nutrition, bowel and bladder issues, immobility, infections and illnesses, and pain and comfort.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is one of the second most common types of dementia, along with Lewy body dementia. Learn about the prevalence, causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of vascular dementia.
Vascular dementia is one of the second most common types of dementia, along with Lewy body dementia. Learn about the prevalence, causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of vascular dementia.
Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body dementia is one of the second most common types of dementia, along with vascular dementia. Learn about the prevalence, causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of Lewy body dementia.
Lewy body dementia is one of the second most common types of dementia, along with vascular dementia. Learn about the prevalence, causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of Lewy body dementia.
Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Fact Sheet
Do our genes affect our risk of developing Alzheimer's? The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center provides a clear overview of genetic factors associated with the disease, including a discussion of current research and the issues surrounding genetic testing and counseling.
Do our genes affect our risk of developing Alzheimer's? The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center provides a clear overview of genetic factors associated with the disease, including a discussion of current research and the issues surrounding genetic testing and counseling.
Inside the Brain: An Interactive Tour
Have you ever wondered how the brain works or how Alzheimer's disease affects different parts of the brain? The Alzheimer's Association developed this interactive tool to demonstrate brain mechanics and to show how brain functioning is challenged when affected by Alzheimer's.
Have you ever wondered how the brain works or how Alzheimer's disease affects different parts of the brain? The Alzheimer's Association developed this interactive tool to demonstrate brain mechanics and to show how brain functioning is challenged when affected by Alzheimer's.
Dementia: Hope Through Research
While Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, many other types of dementia create similar symptoms and challenges. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke provides a thorough review of the different dementias and how each kind affects the brain.
While Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, many other types of dementia create similar symptoms and challenges. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke provides a thorough review of the different dementias and how each kind affects the brain.