Also called: Also called: AD
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.
National Institute on Aging
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Alzheimer's Disease
(National Institute on Aging) - http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimersdisease/toc.html
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Alzheimer's Disease
(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/adfact.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nia.nih.gov/Espanol/Publicaciones/GuiaAlzheimer/ -
Understanding Alzheimer's Disease
(National Institute on Aging) - Large PDF file - http://www.nia.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/F463CE6C-B0A7-47F4-882A-8EA143020193/0/understandingalzheimers.pdf
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Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/alzheimersdisease/alzheimersdisease.htm
- Alzheimer's Disease Research(American Health Assistance Foundation) - http://www.ahaf.org/alzheimers
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Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/Unraveling/
Also available in Spanish http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/LaEnfermedaddeAlzheimer/
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Forgetfulness: It's Not Always What You Think(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/forgetfulness.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/forgetfulness-sp.asp
- Delirium Episodes Could Hasten Alzheimer's-Linked Decline(05/06/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83900.html
- Early Alzheimer's Hinders Brain's Effort to Sort Information(05/04/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83765.html
- Newer Antipsychotics May Boost Weight in Alzheimer's Patients(04/15/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_82949.html
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Scientists Report Important Step in Biomarker Testing for Alzheimer's Disease(03/17/2009, National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2009/nia-17.htm
- More News on Alzheimer's Disease http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_a.html#alzheimersdisease
- Alzheimer's Diagnosis(Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation) - http://www.alzinfo.org/alzheimers-diagnosis.asp
- ApoE (Apolipoprotein E) Genotyping(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/apoe/test.html
- Mild Cognitive Impairment(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/mild-cognitive-impairment/DS00553/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
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Understanding Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/NR/exeres/6739F4B3-C1A9-4564-8AC3-77DC1315974E.htm
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Can Alzheimer's Disease Be Prevented?(National Institutes of Health) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/ADPrevented/
- Alternative Treatments(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_alternative_treatments.asp
- Alzheimer's: Making Mealtimes Easier(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alzheimers/HQ00217/METHOD=print
- Tube Feeding Decisions for People with Advanced Dementia(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging) - http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/pef/tube_feeding.php
- Coping with Changes(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_coping_with_changes.asp
- Family and Friends(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_families_and_friends.asp
- Making Choices about Everyday Care (for Families)(Family Caregiver Alliance) - http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=406
- Taking Care of Yourself(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_taking_care_of_yourself.asp
- Agitation(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_agitation.asp
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Alzheimer's Disease Medications(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/medicationsfs.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/medicationsfs_sp.htm
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Alzheimer's Drugs(Consumers Union of U.S.) - http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/alzheimers.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/Alzheimers2-pagerspanish.pdf
- Alzheimer's Therapeutic Activities(Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation) - http://www.alzinfo.org/alzheimers-treatment-therapeutic.asp
- Alzheimer's: Getting the Most from Medical Appointments(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alzheimers/AZ00029/METHOD=print
- Alzheimer's: Managing Sleep Problems(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alzheimers/AZ00030/METHOD=print
- Behavioral Symptoms(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/professionals_and_researchers_behavioral_symptoms_pr.asp
- Diet, Exercise & Complementary Health(Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation) - http://www.alzinfo.org/alzheimers-treatment-maintaining.asp
- Hallucinations(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_hallucinations.asp
- Standard Treatments(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_standard_prescriptions.asp
- Treatments for Sleep Changes(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10429.asp
- Early-Onset Alzheimer's: When Symptoms Begin Before 65(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alzheimers/AZ00009/METHOD=print
- Stages of Alzheimer's(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp
- African-Americans and Alzheimer's Disease(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_african_americans.asp
- Alzheimer's Disease and Down Syndrome(National Down Syndrome Society) - Links to PDF - http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=180:alzheimers-and-down-syndrome&catid=60:associated-conditions&Itemid=88
- Alzheimer's or Depression: Could It Be Both?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alzheimers/HQ00212/METHOD=print
- Alzheimer's: Spirituality Can Be Comforting(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alzheimers/AZ00024/METHOD=print
- Alzheimer's: When to Stop Driving(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alzheimers/HO00046/METHOD=print
- Choosing Care Providers(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_choosing_care_providers.asp
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Dementia: Hope through Research(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/trastornos/las_demencias.htm
- Diabetes and Alzheimer's Linked(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/diabetes-and-alzheimers/AZ00050/METHOD=print
- Making Job Decisions(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_making_job_decisions.asp
- Modifying the Home(Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation) - http://www.alzinfo.org/alzheimers-treatment-modifying.asp
- Sundowning: Late-Day Confusion(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/sundowning/HQ01463/METHOD=print
- Tau/Amyloid Beta 42 Peptide Test (Alzheimer Biomarkers)(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/tau/test.html
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Understanding Memory Loss(National Institute on Aging) - Large PDF file - http://www.nia.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/F35FE176-B3E6-4FD5-8FA0-C37E53EBCD89/0/understandingmemoryloss.pdf
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Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging) - http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimersdisease/toc.html
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Inside the Brain: An Interactive Tour(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_4719.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.alz.org/espanol_10221.asp
- What Is Alzheimer Disease?(Dolan DNA Learning Center) - http://www.yourgenesyourhealth.org/alz/whatisit.htm
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Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/Unraveling/
Also available in Spanish http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/LaEnfermedaddeAlzheimer/
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Inside the Brain: An Interactive Tour(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_4719.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.alz.org/espanol_10221.asp
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Life and Death of a Neuron(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/ninds_neuron.htm
- Fee-for-Service Medicare for People with Alzheimer's Disease(Alzheimer's Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.alz.org/national/documents/medicare_topicsheet_feeforservice.pdf
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Legal and Financial Planning for People with Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/legaltips.htm
- Medicare Drug Benefit(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_drug_coverage.asp
- Medicare's Hospice Benefit for Alzheimer's Beneficiaries(Alzheimer's Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.alz.org/national/documents/medicare_topicsheet_hospice_benefit.pdf
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Alzheimer Disease(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Alzheimer+Disease%22
- Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial(Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation) - http://www.alzinfo.org/alzheimers-treatment-clinical.asp
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Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials Database(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/ResearchInformation/ClinicalTrials/
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New Alzheimer's Clinical Trials to Be Undertaken by NIA Nationwide Consortium(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/ResearchInformation/NewsReleases/Archives/PR2006/PR20061017ADCS.htm
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Alzheimer's Disease Genetics(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/geneticsfs.htm
- Alzheimer's: Is It in Your Genes?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alzheimers-genes/AZ00047/METHOD=print
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Genetics Home Reference: Alzheimer disease(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=alzheimerdisease
- Alzheimer Disease: What Changes in the Brain Cause Dementia?(American Academy of Neurology) - http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/full/72/4/e21?maxtoshow=&HITS=20&hits=20&RESULTFORMAT=&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&displaysectionid=Patient+Pages&resourcetype=HWCIT
- Alzheimer's Treatments: What's on the Horizon?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alzheimers-treatments/AZ00048/METHOD=print
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Gene/Stress Interaction Increases Cognitive Decline in Elderly(American Psychiatric Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.psych.org/MainMenu/Newsroom/NewsReleases/2008NewsReleases/genestress.aspx
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Genomic Dragnet Finds Clues to Likely Suspects in Alzheimer's(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/genomic-dragnet-finds-clues-to-likely-suspects-in-alzheimers.shtml
- New Survey Shows African-Americans Are Concerned with Heart Health but Unaware of Link to Brain Health(American Heart Association) - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053663
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Progress Report on Alzheimer's Disease: 2007(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/ADProgress2007/
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Use of Antipsychotics in Alzheimer's Patients May Lead to Detrimental Metabolic Changes(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2009/use-of-antipsychotics-in-alzheimers-patients-may-lead-to-detrimental-metabolic-changes.shtml
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Fruit juice may cut Alzheimer's risk. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19367774&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Ibuprofen treatment modifies cortical sources of EEG rhythms in mild... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19324592&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Harnessing nature's insight: design of aspartyl protease inhibitors from treatment... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19323561&tool=MedlinePlus
- Alzheimer's Disease -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=alzheimer+disease[majr]+NOT+(alzheimer+disease/etiology[mh]+OR+alzheimer+disease/genetics[mh])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Causes of Alzeheimer's disease -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(alzheimer+disease/genetics[majr]+OR+alzheimer+disease/etiology[majr])+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- CareFinder: Glossary(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/carefinder/support/glossary.asp
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Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/ResearchInformation/ResearchCenters/
- Find a Neurologist(American Academy of Neurology) - http://www.thebrainmatters.org/index.cfm?key=1.2.2
- To Search for a Provider(Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation) - http://www.alzinfo.org/providers/doctor.aspx
- Administration on Aging - http://www.aoa.gov/
- Alzheimer's Association - http://www.alz.org/
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Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/
- Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation - http://www.alzinfo.org/
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/
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National Institute on Aging - http://www.nia.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.nia.nih.gov/Espanol/
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Connections Newsletter(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/ResearchInformation/Newsletter/
- End-of-Life Decisions: Honoring the Wishes of the Person with Alzheimer's Disease(Alzheimer's Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.alz.org/national/documents/brochure_endoflifedecisions.pdf
- Alzheimer's Facts and Figures(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_figures.asp
- FastStats: Alzheimer's Disease(National Center for Health Statistics) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/alzheimr.htm
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Diagnosing Dementia--Positive Signs - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall07/articles/fall07pg11b.html
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New NIA Booklet By and For People With Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall07/articles/fall07pg11a.html
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Understanding Alzheimer's - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall07/articles/fall07pg8-10.html
- Alzheimer's Disease(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/grownup/conditions/alzheimers.html
- Alzheimer's: Helping Children Understand the Disease(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alzheimers/HQ00216/METHOD=print
- Talking to Kids and Teens(Alzheimer's Association) - http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_talking_to_kids_and_teens.asp
- Alzheimer's Caregivers - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alzheimerscaregivers.html
- Caregivers - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/caregivers.html
- Dementia - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dementia.html
- Memory - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/memory.html
- Brain and Nerves - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/brainandnerves.html
- Mental Health and Behavior - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mentalhealthandbehavior.html
- Seniors - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seniors.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Alzheimer's Disease is the National Institute on Aging - http://www.nia.nih.gov/
Alzheimer's Disease - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/alzheimersdisease.html