Alzheimer’s Association
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of brain disease, just as coronary artery disease is a type of heart disease. It is caused by damage to nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. The brain’s neurons are essential to thinking, walking, talking and all human activity.
In Alzheimer’s, the neurons damaged first are those in parts of the brain responsible for memory, language and thinking. As a result, the first symptoms tend to be memory, language and thinking problems. Although these symptoms are new to the individual affected, the brain changes that cause them are thought to begin 20 years or more before symptoms start.
Individuals with mild symptoms often may continue to work, drive and participate in their favorite activities, with occasional help from family members and friends. However, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse with time. How quickly it progresses and what abilities are affected vary from person to person. As time passes, more neurons are damaged and more areas of the brain are affected. Increased help from family members, friends and professional caregivers is needed to carry out activities of daily living,A1 such as dressing and bathing, and to keep the individual safe. Individuals with Alzheimer’s may develop changes in mood, personality or behavior. One behavior that is of special concern is wandering, which refers to individuals walking away from a particular location and not being able to retrace their steps. Individuals who wander may become lost, putting them at risk of significant injury and death.9 Eventually, the neuronal damage of Alzheimer’s extends to parts of the brain that enable basic bodily functions such as walking and swallowing. Individuals become bed-bound and require around-the-clock care. Ultimately, Alzheimer’s disease is fatal. Studies indicate that people age 65 and older survive an average of four to eight years after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia, yet some live as long as 20 years.10-18
Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia?
Many people wonder what the difference is between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Dementia is an overall term for a particular group of symptoms. The characteristic symptoms of dementia are difficulties with memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking skills. Dementia has several causes (see Table 1, page 6). These causes reflect specific changes in the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease is one cause of dementia. The brain changes of Alzheimer’s disease include the accumulation of the abnormal proteins beta-amyloid and phosphorylated tau, as well as the degeneration of neurons. The brain changes of Alzheimer’s disease are the most common contributor to dementia.
In this report, Alzheimer’s dementia refers to dementia that is caused by, or believed to be caused by, the brain changes of Alzheimer’s disease. It is used interchangeably with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.
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