Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer disease is a neurological disorder that involves irreversible worsening changes in the ability to think and remember. It is the most common cause of dementia—the loss of the ability to reason, learn new skills, and plan and prioritize to the point which it interferes with a person's daily life and activities—in older adults.

Alzheimer disease develops over many years, with damage to the brain that may start a decade or more before memory problems appear. Initially, people experience memory loss and confusion, which may be mistaken for the kinds of memory changes that are sometimes associated with normal aging. However, the symptoms of Alzheimer disease gradually lead to:

• Behavior and personality changes
• Decline in cognitive abilities such as decision-making and language skills
• Problems recognizing family and friends.

Alzheimer disease ultimately leads to a severe loss of mental function. These losses are believed to be related to certain proteins that abnormally clump together and damage healthy neurons and their connections, causing them to die. People with severe Alzheimer disease cannot communicate and are completely dependent on others for their care.

The risk of Alzheimer disease increases with age, but it can also occur in midlife, between a person's 30s and mid-60s. We don't yet completely understand the causes of late-onset Alzheimer disease, but they probably include genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

There are no treatments that can stop the progression of Alzheimer disease, but certain drugs can temporarily slow worsening of some symptoms.

How can I or my loved one help improve care for people with Alzheimer's disease?

Consider participating in a clinical trial so clinicians and scientists can learn more about Alzheimer disease and related disorders. Clinical research uses human volunteers to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat, or prevent disease.

All types of volunteers are needed—those who are healthy or may have an illness or disease—of all different ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities to ensure that study results apply to as many people as possible, and that treatments will be safe and effective for everyone who will use them.

For information about participating in clinical research visit NIH Clinical Research Trials and You. Learn about clinical trials at Clinicaltrials.gov.

Where can I find more information about Alzheimer's disease?

The following organization and resources help people living with Alzheimer disease and their families, friends, and caregivers:

Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
Phone: 800-438-4380

Alzheimer's Association
Phone: 800-272-3900 or 312-335-8700

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
Phone: 212-901-8000

Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Phone: 866-232-8484

BrightFocus Foundation
Phone: 800-437-2423

MedlinePlus

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. NINDS Alzheimer Disease Information Page. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/alzheimers-disease. Accessed July 7, 2023.

The information in this document is for general educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for personalized professional advice. Although the information was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, MedLink LLC, its representatives, and the providers of the information do not guarantee its accuracy and disclaim responsibility for adverse consequences resulting from its use. For further information, consult a physician and the organization referred to herein.