Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that affects as many as 5.1 million Americans. It slowly destroys brain function, leading to:
- cognitive decline (e.g., memory loss, language difficulty, poor executive function);
- behavioral and psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, delusions, agitation); and
- declines in functional status (e.g., ability to engage in activities of daily living (ADLs) and self-care).
In addition to Alzheimer’s disease, ASPE’s work addresses related dementias, consistent with the approach Congress used in National Alzheimer’s Project Act.
Related dementias include frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Lewy body, mixed, and vascular dementias.
Websites:
Reports:
- Priority Setting for Healthcare Performance Measurement--Alzheimer's Disease (2014)
- Cognitive Aging: Progress in Understanding and Opportunities for Action (2015)
- 2013-2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Progress Report (2015)
- Disability and Care Needs of Older Americans: An Analysis of the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study (2014)