Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in older people. A dementia is a medical condition that causes loss of memory or intelligence. Every day, scientists learn more about AD, but right now the cause of the disease still is unknown, and there is no cure. An estimated 8 to 15 percent of people over age 65 suffer from AD. The disease usually begins after age 65, and the risk of developing AD goes up with age. However, AD is not a normal part of aging.
What Are the Symptoms of AD?
AD begins slowly. At first, the only symptom may be mild forgetfulness. People with AD may have trouble remembering recent events, activities, or the names of familiar people or things. Simple math problems may become hard for these people to solve. Such difficulties may be a bother, but usually they are not serious enough to cause alarm.
However, as the disease goes on, symptoms are more easily noticed and become serious enough to cause people with AD or their family members to seek medical help. For example, people with AD may forget how to do simple tasks, like brushing their teeth or combing their hair. They can no longer think clearly; and they begin to have problems speaking, understanding, reading, or writing. Later on, people with AD may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, patients may need total care. The course the disease takes and how fast changes occur vary from person to person. Some people only have the disease for 5 years, while others may have it for as many as 20 years.
How is AD Diagnosed?
Doctors may say that a person has "probable" AD. They will make this diagnosis by finding out more about the person's symptoms. A doctor may require a complete medical history, some basic medical tests, neuropsychological tests, or brain scans. Doctors at specialized centers can diagnose probable AD correctly 80 to 90 percent of the time. However, diagnosis cannot be confirmed until a doctor examines a person's brain tissue under a microscope. This tissue is obtained by autopsy after the person dies.
What Treatments Are Available for AD?
Currently, no treatment can stop AD. However, for some people in the early and middle stages of the disease, medications including tacrine, donepezil, and velnacrine may alleviate some cognitive symptoms. Also, some medicines may help control behavioral symptoms of AD such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression. Treating these symptoms often makes patients more comfortable and makes their care easier for caregivers.
People with AD should go to their doctor regularly. The doctor will evaluate the progression of the disease and treat any other illnesses that occur. The physician and other health professionals also can offer help and support to patients and their families. Most often, spouses or other family members provide the day-today care for people with AD. As the disease gets worse, people often need more and more care. This can be hard for caregivers and can affect their physical and mental health, family life, jobs, and finances.
Scientists at research centers across the country are trying to learn what causes AD and how to prevent it. They also are studying how memory loss happens. They are looking for better ways to diagnose and treat AD, to improve the abilities of people with the disease, and to support caregivers.
The major risk factors for AD are age and family history. Other possible risk factors include a serious head injury and lower levels of education. Scientists also are studying additional factors that may cause the disease, such as genetic factors, environmental factors, and viruses.
For More Information
Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General can be viewed at www.surgeongeneral.gov
The National Institute on Aging is the Federal Government's lead agency for AD research and funds Alzheimer's Disease Centers located throughout the United States. The centers carry out a wide range of research, including studies on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and management of AD. To obtain a list of the centers, contact the following:
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
P.O. Box 8250
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250
Phone: 1-800-438-4380
E-Mail: adear@alzheimers.org
ADEAR home page address: www.alzheimers.org
Further information is also available from the following:
Administration on Aging
330 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: 202-619-7501
AoA home page address: www.aoa.gov
National Institute of Mental Health
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
Information Resources and Inquiries Branch
6001 Executive Blvd., Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone: 301-443-4513
TTY: 301-443-8431
FAX: 301-443-4279
Mental Health FAX 4U: 301-443-5158
E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov
NIMH home page address: www.nimh.nih.gov
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
NINDS home page address: www.ninds.nih.gov
CMHS Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN)
P.O. Box 42490
Washington, DC 20015
Phone: 1-800-789-2647
FAX: 301-984-8796
KEN home page address: www.mentalhealth.org
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Mental Health: The Cornerstone of Health
Home page address: www.mentalhealth.org/cornerstone
