Alzheimer's Disease Health Center

OrganizedWisdom helps people easily discover great links, shared by over 5,000 doctors, health experts, and advocates, and organized by specific health or healthy living topics like Alzheimer's Disease. We currently have thousands of WisdomCards featuring resources on Alzheimer's Disease. Use our A-Z directory or the search tool above to find WisdomCards on any health or healthy living topic.

About Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities.

AD begins slowly. It first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. People with AD may have trouble remembering things that happened recently or names of people they know. A related problem, mild cognitive impairment(MCI), causes more memory problems than normal for people of the same age. Many, but not all, people with MCI will develop AD.

In AD, over time, symptoms get worse. People may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on, they may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care. This can cause great stress for family members who must care for them.

AD usually begins after age 60. The risk goes up as you get older. Your risk is also higher if a family member has had the disease.

No treatment can stop the disease. However, some drugs may help keep symptoms from getting worse for a limited time.

NIH: National Institute on Aging

Provided by: NIH - National Institute of Health