Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and behavior.
The symptoms of Alzheimer's can be difficult to spot in the early stages because they are milder than those of other forms of dementia.
There is no cure for Alzheimer's, but there are treatments available that can help manage its symptoms.
Alzheimer's is one of the most common causes of dementia among older people. It occurs when nerve cells in the brain lose their ability to function properly and begin to die off. This causes the brain to shrink and shrink until it can no longer support memory, thinking and other functions.
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Alzheimer's disease is most common in older people, and can affect anyone over 65.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It affects more than 5 million Americans, and it happens when nerve cells in the brain die.
The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells called neurons. When these neurons die, they are replaced by other cells that specialize in specific tasks—like sensing your surroundings or making memories.
In Alzheimer's dementia, the neurons start dying at different rates in different parts of your brain. This leads to plaques forming on their surface and tangles in their fibers—which are proteins that connect them together. Plaques and tangles are what cause memory loss and confusion among people with Alzheimer's disease.