Part 1: Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease is an age-related, irreversible brain disorder that develops over a period of years. Initially, people experience memory loss and confusion, which can be mistaken for age-related memory change. These symptoms gradually lead to behavior and personality changes, a decline in cognitive abilities (such as decision-making and language skills), an inability to recognize family and friends, and ultimately to a severe loss of mental function. These losses are related to the breakdown of the connections between certain nerve cells in the brain and the eventual death of many of these cells. AD is one of a group of disorders, called dementias, that are characterized by cognitive and behavioral problems.

The course of this disease varies from person to person, as does the rate of decline. In most people with AD, symptoms first appear after age 65. Although the risk of developing AD increases with age, AD and dementia symptoms are not part of normal aging. AD and other dementing disorders are caused by diseases that affect the brain, although age-related brain and body changes can affect the development of dementia.

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