Alzheimer's disease progressively kills brain cells, deleting memories, muddling analytical thinking, altering personality and ultimately limiting mobility. As the most common form of dementia in people over the age of 65, according to the...
As people age, they may notice normal changes in memory, judgment and speech. But if these changes start intruding on daily life, they may be warning signs of the development of Alzheimer's disease.
The Mini-Mental State Examination, or MMSE, is the most commonly used screening test for Alzheimer's disease, according to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation. It is not, however, the only mental status test available to a...
Recently, scientists have discovered a new form of cataracts that can be linked to the development of amyloid plaques in the brain. Cataracts are formed by abnormal proteins on the lens, which is responsible for focusing light on the retina. These...
Alzheimer's disease is a devastating diagnosis for both the patient and her family. This progressive and fatal disease is caused when brain cells are damaged. While a cure is being sought, there are treatment options to help manage the symptoms....
Patients with dementia often have low levels of zinc. Deficiencies in trace elements such as zinc appear to be a factor in age-related cognitive decline and dementia, according to research conducted by D. Allan Butterfield of the Sanders-Brown...
Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia. It's a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain for which there is no cure (as of 2009). Alzheimer's disease slowly destroys the brain, leaving people unable to care for themselves and affecting...
Alzheimer's is a devastating disease for both patient and family members. Changes to the brain occur naturally with age and tend to cause some memory problems and cognitive loss. In the case of Alzheimer's disease, the brain develops a high number...
Alzheimer's is a form of degenerative dementia. Dementia is a chronic, progressive deterioration of the brain, according to "Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing" by Kathy Neeb. Early-onset Alzheimer's affects people 65 or younger, states the...
Alzheimer's disease can be a frightening diagnosis that comes as the result of an increase in memory loss. Alzheimer's patients and their families may be wondering whether there are ways to improve the memory and retain the memory that remains....
Alzheimer's disease starts in the brain and leads to changes in functioning and behaviors. Brain imaging and genetic studies give insight to the way the disease starts and how it progresses through the body. Such scientific advances are beneficial...
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of progressive dementia in elderly people, according to Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, or OMIM. In Alzheimer's disease, nerve cells in the brain die, killed by the accumulation of abnormal...
A number of tests can be performed when it is suspected that a person has Alzheimer's disease. A correct diagnosis can help guide therapy according to a person's needs. A full diagnosis usually starts with the patient's primary physician and is...
Early onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a diagnosis that occurs prior to the age of 65. While it can develop among people in their 30s and 40s, it is more common among those in their 50s. Early-onset Alzheimer's bears unique characteristics...
Alzheimer's disease in a degenerative neurological condition that is associated with the elderly. According to the National Institutes of Health, the majority of Alzheimer's disease onset is before the patient reaches age 60. However, because many...
Alzheimer's disease is a chronic and incurable form of dementia, and is ultimately fatal. Although its exact cause is not completely understood, it is thought to be related to problems with a protein known as A-beta which has an unknown natural...
A type of dementia, Alzheimer's disease most commonly affects people older than the age of 60, though MedlinePlus notes that a less common form of the disease can present much earlier. Patients with Alzheimer's disease have a progressive worsening...
According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than five million people are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, with another diagnosis being made every 70 seconds. Not only is it the most common form of dementia, it is also the seventh...
Alzheimer's disease is a mystery to many people. Often mis-called "old-timer's disease," this affliction seems to come out of nowhere, leaving the victim eventually unable to recognize his loved ones or even himself. Some questions about...
As we age, we often experience some memory loss. As with any other organ, the brain experiences some degeneration. However, not all memory loss can be attributed to age. If memory loss begins to disrupt your daily life, it may be a sign that you...
Brain atrophy and cerebral atrophy are terms used when there is a loss of tissue in the brain. This means there is a loss of brain cells and, in some cases, a loss of nerve conduction between cells. Atrophy can affect the entire brain or be...
There is no clinical test to diagnose Alzheimer's Disease, or AD, and a definitive diagnosis can be made only upon autopsy. As a result, physicians use neuro-psychological assessments of cognitive function to determine possible or probable AD....
When you hear the term "high blood sugar," your next thought may naturally center on diabetes, but high levels of glucose circulating through your bloodstream also increase your risk of Alzheimer's disease. At a foundational level, the two...
As men age, physical changes occur. Although not comparable to menopause in women, the term "male menopause" has surfaced to draw attention to this condition. Often under-diagnosed, health advocacy and education continue to inform health...
The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be frightening. The Alzheimer's Association defines the disease as progressive and fatal, and the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Although there is no cure, treatments are available to...
Alzheimer's disease is a type of progressive dementia that affects your cognitive abilities and your behavior. The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that Alzheimer's disease is characterized by memory problems, language...
Vitamin B-12 is an essential, water-soluble vitamin found in foods such as shellfish, meat and dairy products. The body uses this vitamin with other B vitamins to help maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. B-12 is also needed to make...
Alzheimer disease attacks brain cells and can affect memory, reasoning and currently has no cure. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that more than 5 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer's disease and consider it one of the leading...
Dementia manifests as progressive mental impairment that accompany any of several disease processes of the brain and nervous system, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms can include forgetfulness, personality changes, movement problems and...
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, which is the loss of intellectual and social abilities severe enough to interfere with daily functioning. Learn about Alzheimer's disease symptoms, treatments and diagnosis in this video on...
