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. 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.
Overviews
Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)
Alzheimer's Disease(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery (National Institute on Aging)
Also available in Spanish
Forgetfulness: It's Not Always What You Think (National Institute on Aging)
Also available in Spanish
Growth Hormone Boost May Not Slow Alzheimer's(11/19/2008, HealthDay)
Study to Examine Early, Inherited Form of Alzheimer's (11/19/2008, National Institute on Aging)
Ginkgo No Shield Against Alzheimer's(11/18/2008, HealthDay)
Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study Fails To Show Benefit in Preventing Dementia in the Elderly (11/18/2008,
Fewer Brain 'Tangles' May Mean Smarter Old Age(11/17/2008, HealthDay)
More News on Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Caregiving Tips: Working with Your Doctor(Administration on Aging)
Alzheimer's Diagnosis(
ApoE (Apolipoprotein E) Genotyping(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Mild Cognitive Impairment(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Understanding Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)
Can Alzheimer's Disease Be Prevented? (National Institutes of Health)
Alternative Treatments(Alzheimer's Association)
Alzheimer's: Making Mealtimes Easier(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Tube Feeding Decisions for People with Advanced Dementia(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
Coping with Changes(Alzheimer's Association)
Family and Friends(Alzheimer's Association)
Making Choices about Everyday Care (for Families)(Family Caregiver A
Taking Care of Yourself(Alzheimer's Association)
Agitation(Alzheimer's Association)
Alzheimer's Disease Medications (National Institute on Aging)
Also available in Spanish
Alzheimer's Drugs: Summary of Affordable Alternatives(Consumers Union of
Also available in Spanish
Alzheimer's Therapeutic Activities(
Alzheimer's: Managing Sleep Problems(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Behavioral Symptoms(Alzheimer's Association)
Diet, Exercise & Complementary Health(
Hallucinations(Alzheimer's Association)
Standard Treatments(Alzheimer's Association)
Early-Onset Alzheimer's: When Symptoms Begin Before 65(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Stages of Alzheimer's(Alzheimer's Association)
African-Americans and Alzheimer's Disease(Alzheimer's Association)
Alzheimer's Disease and Down Syndrome(National Down Syndrome Society) - Links to PDF
Alzheimer's or Depression: Could It Be Both?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Alzheimer's: Spirituality Can Be Comforting(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Alzheimer's: When to Stop Driving(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Choosing Care Providers(Alzheimer's Association)
Dementia: Hope through Research (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Also available in Spanish
Making Job Decisions(Alzheimer's Association)
Modifying the Home(
Tau/Amyloid Beta 42 Peptide Test (Alzheimer Biomarkers)(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Understanding Memory Loss (National Institute on Aging) - Large PDF file
Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)
Inside the Brain: An Interactive Tour(Alzheimer's Association)
Also available in Spanish
What Is Alzheimer Disease?(
Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery (National Institute on Aging)
Also available in Spanish
Inside the Brain: An Interactive Tour(Alzheimer's Association)
Also available in Spanish
Life and Death of a Neuron (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Fee-for-Service Medicare for People with Alzheimer's Disease(Alzheimer's Association) - Links to PDF
Legal and Financial Planning for People with Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)
Medicare Drug Benefit(Alzheimer's Association)
Medicare's Hospice Benefit for Alzheimer's Beneficiaries(Alzheimer's Association) - Links to PDF
ClinicalTrials.gov: Alzheimer Disease (National Institutes of Health)
Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial(
Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials Database (National Institute on Aging)
New Alzheimer's Clinical Trials to Be Undertaken by NIA Nationwide Consortium (National Institute on Aging)
Alzheimer's Disease Genetics (National Institute on Aging)
Genetics Home Reference: Alzheimer disease (National Library of Medicine)
Gene/Stress Interaction Increases Cognitive Decline in Elderly(American Psychiatric Association) - Links to PDF
Genomic Dragnet Finds Clues to Likely Suspects in Alzheimer's (National Institute of Mental Health)
New Survey Shows African-Americans Are Concerned with Heart Health but Unaware of Link to Brain Health(American Heart Association)
Progress Report on Alzheimer's Disease: 2005 - 2006 (National Institute on Aging)
When Should Patients with Alzheimer Disease Stop Driving?(
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Article: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
Article: The cell cycle molecules behind neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease: perspectives...
Article: High-dose B vitamin supplementation and cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease:...
Alzheimer's Disease -- see more articles
Causes of Alzeheimer's disease -- see more articles
CareFinder: Glossary(Alzheimer's Association)
Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (National Institute on Aging)
Find a Neurologist(
To Search for a Provider(
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center (National Institute on Aging)
Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Also available in Spanish
National Institute on Aging Also available in Spanish
Newsletters/Print Publications
Connections Newsletter (National Institute on Aging)
End-of-Life Decisions: Honoring the Wishes of the Person with Alzheimer's Disease(Alzheimer's Association) - Links to PDF
Alzheimer's Facts and Figures(Alzheimer's Association)
FASTATS: Alzheimer's Disease(
Alzheimer's Disease(Nemours Foundation)
Alzheimer's: Helping Children Understand the Disease(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Talking to Kids and Teens(Alzheimer's Association)
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