Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.¹ It is a progressive disease that affects a person’s mental abilities, resulting in the inability to perform activities of daily living. Memory loss serves as the most common early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

What causes Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease involves changes in the brain caused by the buildup of two proteins called beta amyloid and tau.^1,2 Beta amyloid proteins cluster and form threads between the brain cells, while tau proteins form tangles inside the brain cells. These clusters and tangles of proteins damage the brain cells, impacting the brain’s ability to process and communicate information. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease still remains unknown.

Who is at risk?

Increasing age is a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.¹ Although the majority of people who develop the disease are 65 years or older, there are cases in which people may develop younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease between their 30s to mid-60s.^3,4

Women, people living with Down syndrome, and African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino communities are at a higher risk for developing the disease.⁵ Among communities of color, a possible explanation for this increased risk is the higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke, which are all conditions associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Additional risk factors can include⁶:

Family history
Head injury
Poor sleep
Poor diet

Smoking
Limited physical activity
Excessive alcohol consumption
Mild cognitive impairment

Adopting healthy habits like exercising, maintaining a balanced diet, and managing health conditions can keep the brain healthy and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.⁷

What are the signs & symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?

Memory loss is a common early sign of Alzheimer's disease.⁸ There are 10 early warning signs and symptoms to look out for, these include:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Challenges in planning or problem solving
Difficulty completing daily tasks
Confusion about time or place
Trouble with navigating surroundings

New trouble speaking or writing
Misplacing things
Decreased or poor judgement
Social withdrawal
Mood or personality changes

If you or someone you care about notice signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, talk to a doctor as soon as possible.

What are the stages of Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition where people generally experience signs and symptoms across three stages over the course of several years: early (mild), middle (moderate), and late (severe).⁹

Early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease (Mild)

A person in this early stage may still function independently and play an active role in their own health and wellness. Signs and symptoms in this stage may include:

Losing valuable objects
Increased trouble planning or organizing
Forgetting material that was just read

Middle-stage Alzheimer’s Disease (Moderate)

This stage usually lasts the longest and is marked by more pronounced symptoms and increased need for assistance. Signs and symptoms may include:

Personality and behavioral changes
Changes in sleep patterns
Tendency to wander or become lost

Late-stage Alzheimer’s Disease (Severe)

During this later stage, the person becomes unable to respond to their environment and requires full-time assistance with personal care. Specific signs/symptoms and speed of disease progression will vary from person to person.

How is Alzheimer’s diagnosed?

There is no single diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease.¹⁰ Doctors use a wide range of tests including cognitive assessments, brain scans, and blood tests to determine if a person may have Alzheimer’s disease.¹¹ A doctor might repeat tests to track changes in memory or other mental abilities over time to make a definitive diagnosis.

Getting an early diagnosis can help people and their families find the resources and support they need to live with Alzheimer’s disease.

How is Alzheimer’s treated?

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease.¹ However, there are both non-drug interventions and medications that may help in managing symptoms.¹² Non-drug interventions may include creating a calm and comfortable environment with minimal distractions. Medications can help address symptoms related to depression, sleep disturbances, or hallucinations.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (or FDA) has approved Lecanemab (Leqembi) and Aducanumab (Aduhelm) as treatments for people living with MCI due to Alzheimer’s disease and people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.¹³ However, it is not currently widely used. To learn more about these treatments and how to navigate different treatment options, visit Alzheimer’s Association.

Work with your doctor and care team to find the treatment plan that works best.

References

Alzheimer's Association. (2024). What is Alzheimer’s Disease? https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers
National Institute on Aging. (2019). What Causes Alzheimer's Disease? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-causes-alzheimers-disease
National Institute on Aging. (2021). What Is Alzheimer's Disease? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-alzheimers-disease
Alzheimer's Association. (2024). If You Have Younger-Onset Alzheimer's Disease. https://www.alz.org/help-support/i-have-alz/younger-onset
Alzheimer's Association. (2024). 2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Alzheimer's disease - Symptoms & causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447
Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Sommerlad, A., et al. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of The Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396, (10248), 413–446. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0140673620303676
Alzheimer's Association. (2024). Stages of Alzheimer's. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/stages
Alzheimer's Association. (2024). 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs
Alzheimer's Association. (2024). Medical Tests for Diagnosing Alzheimer's. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/diagnosis/medical_tests
National Institute on Aging. (2022). How Is Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosed? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-alzheimers-disease-diagnosed
Alzheimer's Association. (2024). Treatments for Behavior. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/treatments/treatments-for-behavior
Alzheimer's Association. (2024). Treatments. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/treatments?lang=en-US

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