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February 10, 2012
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Alzheimer's Disease Facts

Medical Author:
Norberto Alvarez, MD
Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Alzheimer's Disease Stages and Symptoms

What Are the Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease?

The symptoms typical of the early, intermediate, and late stages of Alzheimer's disease vary. It is important to remember that each case is unique, and a given individual may experience some but not all of the symptoms at a given time.

Symptoms of Early Stage of Alzheimer's Disease

  • Difficulty in recognizing familiar people or things.
  • Difficulty recalling names of new acquaintances.
  • Trouble remembering recent events or activities.
  • Inability to solve simple arithmetic problems.
  • Forgetting where they have recently placed objects.
  • Finding the right word for a familiar thing and performing familiar tasks can be difficult.
  • Individuals may seem withdrawn in social situations.
  • Trouble performing complex tasks such as planning an event or paying bills.
  • Individuals can still understand and participate in conversation.
  • They can find their way through familiar surroundings without help.
  • They can still read and write and retain information long enough to rationalize.

Read more in-depth information about the stages and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease »

Source: eMedicineHealth.com. Symptoms and Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
<http://www.emedicinehealth.com/alzheimers_disease_stages_symptoms_and_signs/article_em.htm>

What is Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and fatal brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory and ability to learn, reason, communicate, and make judgments.

Who gets Alzheimer's disease?

  • Approximately 5.3 million Americans and more than 30 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's disease.

  • The disease affects all races and ethnic groups.

  • Alzheimer's disease seems to affect more women than men.

  • Alzheimer's disease mainly affects people aged 60 years and older. The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease increases with age.

What causes Alzheimer's disease?

What exactly causes Alzheimer's disease is not known in most cases. Most often, a number of factors, rather than a single cause, come together in certain people to cause the disease.

Two forms of Alzheimer's disease have been recognized.

  • In familial Alzheimer's disease, a person's genes directly cause the disease. This form of disease is very rare; only a few hundred families worldwide include individuals with the genes that cause this form of Alzheimer's disease. However, individuals who inherit these genes will almost certainly develop the disease, usually when younger than 65 years and sometimes as young as 30 years. At least three different genes have been found to be related early-onset or familial Alzheimer's disease.

  • In sporadic Alzheimer's disease, the more common form of the disease, genes do not cause the disease; however, certain genetic mutations have been shown to increase an individual's risk of developing the condition. Cases of sporadic Alzheimer's disease occur in a less predictable manner than familial Alzheimer's disease, and usually not as many members in the same family acquire it compared to families with familial Alzheimer's disease.

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Alzheimer's Disease FAQs - Treatment

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What treatment is effective in treating your Alzheimer's disease?

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Alzheimer's Disease FAQs - Symptoms

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Alzheimer's Disease Facts

Alzheimer's Disease »

Alzheimer's Disease Overview

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in industrialized nations. Dementia is a brain disorder that interferes with a person's ability to carry out everyday activities.

  • The brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease (see Multimedia file 1) has abnormal areas containing clumps (senile plaques) and bundles (neurofibrillary tangles) of abnormal proteins. These clumps and tangles destroy connections between brain cells.

  • This usually affects the parts of the brain that control cognitive (intellectual) functions such as thought, memory, and language.

  • Levels of certain chemicals that carry messages around the brain (neurotransmitters) are low.

  • The resulting losses in intellectual ability are called dementia when they are severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning.
Alzheimer's disease affects mainly people aged 60 years or o...

Read the Alzheimer's Disease article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Alzheimer Disease »

Alzheimer disease (Alzheimer’s disease, AD), the most common cause of dementia1, isan acquired cognitive and behavioral impairment of sufficient severity that markedly interferes with social and occupational functioning.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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