Alzheimer’s disease, explained
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia—an umbrella term that refers to a collection of symptoms, including memory loss, cognitive impairment, and sudden behavior changes.
More than 55 million people worldwide have dementia; Alzheimer’s disease makes up nearly 70% of all cases. Old age is the greatest risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s, though genetic componentscan elevate the risk of developing the disease.
The first case of Alzheimer’s disease dates back to the turn of the 20th century when Dr. Alois Alzheimer treated 51-year-old Auguste Deter, who was struggling with sudden memory issues and aggressive, irrational behavior. After Deter’s death, Alzheimer examined her brain and found it had a strange collection of molecular pileups. Scientists now know these “pileups” are created by two distinct molecular formations: plaques and tangles, but they’re still investigating their potential roles in disease progression.
Explore everything else we’ve found on Alzheimer’s Disease.
