What is Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 50 to 70 percent of cases. Its “classic” symptom pattern begins with memory loss for recent events. Its two hallmark abnormalities are (1) plaques, deposits of a protein fragment called beta-amyloid, and (2) tangles, twisted strands of another protein called tau.

Alzheimer's disease can affect different people in different ways, but the most common symptom pattern begins with gradually worsening difficulty remembering new information. This is because disruption of brain cells usually begins in regions involved in forming new memories. As damage spreads, individuals also experience confusion, disorganized thinking, impaired judgment, trouble expressing themselves, and disorientation. In advanced Alzheimer's, people need help with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, eating, and other day-to-day activities. Those in the final stages of the disease lose their ability to communicate, fail to recognize loved ones, and become bed-bound. Alzheimer's disease is ultimately fatal.

Although most families prefer to keep the person with Alzheimer's at home as long as possibly, nearly everyone with the disease eventually needs more assistance than families and friends can provides, and moves into a long-term care setting.

In the vast majority of cases, the cause of Alzheimer's disease remains unknown. Most experts agree that Alzheimer's, like other common, chronic conditions, likely develops as a result of multiple factors rather than a single cause. The greatest risk factor by far is advancing age. Most Americans with Alzheimer's disease are age 65 or older.

A tiny percentage of Alzheimer's disease is caused by rare genetic variations found in a few hundred families worldwide. In these inherited forms of Alzheimer's, the disease tends to develop before age 65, sometimes in individuals as young as 30.

Individuals younger than age 65 can also develop the more common form of Alzheimer's that usually appears later in life. When Alzheimer's or another type of dementia is first recognized in a person under the age of 65, these conditions are referred to as "early-onset Alzheimer's" or "early-onset dementia."

There is not yet any treatment that can delay or stop the deterioration of brain cells in Alzheimer's disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has so far approved five drugs that temporarily slow worsening of symptoms for about 6 to 12 months, on average, for about half of the individuals who take them. Based on deepening insight into the underlying biology of Alzheimer's and emerging conceptual frameworks for understanding the disease, researchers have identified a number of new treatment strategies that may have the potential to change its course. A number of experimental therapies based on the amyloid hypothesis and other targets have reached various stages of clinical testing in human volunteers.

Despite the current lack of disease-modifying therapies, studies have consistently shown that active medical management of Alzheimer's and other dementias can significantly improved quality of life through all stages of the disease for diagnosed individuals and their caregivers. Active management includes appropriate use of available treatment options, effective integration of coexisting conditions into the treatment plan and utilization of programs and support services.

Many scientists consider the emerging field of prevention one of the most exciting recent developments in the dementia research arena. A growing body of evidence suggests that the health of the brain - one of the body's most highly vascular organs - is closely linked to the overall health of the heart and blood vessels. Beginning in young adulthood, management of such cardiovascular risk factors as cholesterol and blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and weight may help avoid or delay cognitive decline. Additional evidence points to a significant role for regular physical exercise in maintaining lifelong cognitive health. Still other evidence suggests that a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables may support brain health, as may a robust social network and a lifetime of intellectual curiosity and mental stimulation.

Despite the current lack of disease-modifying therapies, studies have consistently shown that active medical management of Alzheimer's and other dementias can significantly improved quality of life through all stages of the disease for diagnosed individuals and their caregivers. Active management includes appropriate use of available treatment options, effective integration of coexisting conditions into the treatment plan and utilization of programs and support services.

Other Facts about Alzheimer's disease:

• Every 72 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer's
• About 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older adults, and age is the most common known risk factor for the disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every five years beyond age 65.
• By age 85, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease reaches nearly 50%.
• The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to continue to grow; by 2050, the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s could range from 11.3 to 16 million.
• Direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including Medicare and Medicaid costs and the indirect cost to business of employees who are caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s, amount to more than $148 billion annually.
• More than 7 in 10 people with Alzheimer’s disease live at home, where family and friends provide almost 75% of their care.
• A typical Alzheimer’s family is a woman, 48 years old, married, and employed who has at least some college education and no children in the home.
• About 23% of Alzheimer’s caregivers provide "constant care." That is, they commit 40 or more hours per week to caregiving.
• One in three of Alzheimer’s caregivers provide all of the unpaid care for their loved ones, while 23% provide most of this care. Therefore, a total of 53% of these individuals are the primary caregivers for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s.
• One in five Alzheimer’s caregivers are in fair to poor health, and 18% report that caregiving has made their health worse.
• Two-thirds of working caregivers have missed work because of caregiving responsibilities.
• Two-thirds of caregivers have sacrificed one or more of the following to provide care: time with family and friends (55%); vacations, hobbies, and social activities (49%); or exercise (30%).
• On a five-point scale – where is a great deal of emotional stress – 41% of Alzheimer’s caregivers rate their stress as a four or five, compared with 31% of all other caregivers.

The above information was taken from the "Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures" released by the Alzheimer's Association in 2007.