02/16/2015 01:17 PM EST
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Alzheimer's Caregivers, Alzheimer's Disease
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
Alzheimer's Disease
Also called: AD
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities.
AD begins slowly. It first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. People with AD may have trouble remembering things that happened recently or names of people they know. A related problem, mild cognitive impairment(MCI), causes more memory problems than normal for people of the same age. Many, but not all, people with MCI will develop AD.
In AD, over time, symptoms get worse. People may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on, they may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care. This can cause great stress for family members who must care for them.
AD usually begins after age 60. The risk goes up as you get older. Your risk is also higher if a family member has had the disease.
No treatment can stop the disease. However, some drugs may help keep symptoms from getting worse for a limited time.
NIH: National Institute on Aging
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Alzheimer's Disease is the National Institute on Aging
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NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
- 7 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
- Alzheimer's Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
- Alzheimer's Treatment
- Diagnosing Dementia--Positive Signs
- Living with Alzheimer's Disease
- Memory and Forgetfulness: NIH Research
- New NIA Booklet By and For People With Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease
- Quiz: Alzheimer's Disease
- Understanding Alzheimer's
- What Are the Signs of Alzheimer's Disease?
- MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See ourdisclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines.
Start Here
- About Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's Basics(National Institute on Aging)
- Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging)
- Understanding Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging)
- Also available in Spanish
Overviews
- Alzheimer's Disease(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
- Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) -Short Summary
- Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging)
- Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery(National Institute on Aging)
- Also available in Spanish
- alzheimers.gov(Department of Health and Human Services)
- Also available in Spanish
Latest News
- Leaks in Brain May Contribute to Dementia(01/21/2015, HealthDay)
- Depression and Alzheimer's Disease(01/15/2015, HealthDay)
- Depression, Anxiety Can Precede Memory Loss in Alzheimer's, Study Finds(01/14/2015, HealthDay)
- Petty 'Crimes' Sometimes Tied to Dementia(01/08/2015, HealthDay)
Diagnosis/Symptoms
- 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's(Alzheimer's Association)
- About Alzheimer's Disease: Diagnosis(National Institute on Aging)
- About Alzheimer's Disease: Symptoms(National Institute on Aging)
- ApoE (Apolipoprotein E) Genotyping(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- Diagnostic Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease -- Frequently Asked Questions for the General Public(National Institute on Aging)
Treatment
- About Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment(National Institute on Aging)
- Alzheimer's Disease Medications(National Institute on Aging)
- Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease(Alzheimer's Association)
- Treatments for Sleep Changes(Alzheimer's Association)
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Prevention/Screening
- About Alzheimer's Disease: Risk Factors and Prevention(National Institute on Aging)
- Brain Health(Alzheimer's Association)
- Preventing Alzheimer's Disease: What Do We Know?(National Institute on Aging)
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Alternative Therapy
- Alternative Treatments(Alzheimer's Association)
- Alzheimer's Disease at a Glance(National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
- How Can Music Help People Who Have Alzheimer's Disease?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Time to Talk: 5 Things to Know about Complementary Health Practices for Cognitive Function, Dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease(National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
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Nutrition
- Alzheimer's: Making Mealtimes Easier(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Healthy Eating(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
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Coping
- Daily Care(Alzheimer's Association)
- Helping Friends and Family(Alzheimer's Association)
- Making Choices about Everyday Care (for Families)(Family Caregiver Alliance)
- MedlinePlus: Alzheimer's Caregivers(National Library of Medicine)
- Also available in Spanish
- Taking Care of Yourself(Alzheimer's Association)
- Tips for Daily Life(Alzheimer's Association)
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Disease Management
- Alzheimer's: 7 Tips for Medical Visits(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Diet, Exercise and Health(Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
- Stages and Behaviors(Alzheimer's Association)
- Also available in Spanish
- Sundowning: Late-Day Confusion(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- What Happens Next?(National Institute on Aging)
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Specific Conditions
- Early-Onset Alzheimer's(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
- Early-Onset Alzheimer's: When Symptoms Begin Before 65(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Rapidly Progressing Alzheimer's: Something Else?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Seven Stages of Alzheimer's(Alzheimer's Association)
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Related Issues
- About Alzheimer's Disease: Causes(National Institute on Aging)
- African-Americans and Alzheimer's(Alzheimer's Association)
- Alzheimer's Disease and Down Syndrome(National Down Syndrome Society)
- Also available in Spanish
- Alzheimer's Myths(Alzheimer's Association)
- Alzheimer's or Depression: Could It Be Both?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Alzheimer's: When to Stop Driving(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Dementia: Depression and Alzheimer's Disease(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
- Diabetes and Alzheimer's Linked(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Elder Care for Alzheimer's: Choosing a Provider(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Home Modification(Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
- Tau/Amyloid Beta 42 Peptide Test (Alzheimer Biomarkers)(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- Understanding Memory Loss(National Institute on Aging)
- Also available in Spanish
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Tutorials
- Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging)
- Inside the Brain: An Interactive Tour(Alzheimer's Association)
- Also available in Spanish
- What Is Alzheimer Disease?(Dolan DNA Learning Center)
- Return to top
Videos
- Alzheimer's disease - Encyclopedia
- Also available in Spanish
- Alzheimer's Project(Alzheimer's Association)
- Inside the Brain: Unraveling the Mystery of Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging)
- Return to top
Anatomy/Physiology
- Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery(National Institute on Aging)
- Also available in Spanish
- Inside the Brain: An Interactive Tour(Alzheimer's Association)
- Also available in Spanish
- Life and Death of a Neuron(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Scientific Images(National Institute on Aging)
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Financial Issues
- Legal and Financial Planning for People with Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging)
- Medicare(Alzheimer's Association)
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Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Alzheimer Disease(National Institutes of Health)
- Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch(Alzheimer's Association)
- Find Alzheimer's Disease and Related Clinical Trials(National Institute on Aging)
- Participating in Alzheimer's Research: For Yourself and Future Generations(National Institute on Aging)
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Genetics
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics(National Institute on Aging)
- Alzheimer's Genes: Are You at Risk?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Genetics Home Reference: Alzheimer disease(National Library of Medicine)
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Research
- 2013-2014 Alzheimer's Disease Progress Report(National Institute on Aging)
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Testing for Earlier Diagnosis(Alzheimer's Association)
- B Vitamins Fail to Prevent Alzheimer's(Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
- Increased Brain Activity May Compensate for Amyloid Pathology in Older Brains(National Institute on Aging)
- Monster Mash: Protein Folding Gone Wrong(National Institute of General Medical Sciences)
- New Drug Shows Mixed Results Against Early Alzheimer's(Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
- New Genes Tied to Alzheimer's Disease(National Institutes of Health)
- NIH-Funded Researchers Link Epigenome Changes to Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging)
- NIH-Supported Clinical Trial Finds Antidepressant Reduces Alzheimer's Agitation(National Institute on Aging)
- NIH-Supported Study Shows Promise for Blood Test for Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging)
- Number of Alzheimer's Deaths Found to Be Underreported(National Institute on Aging)
- Participating in Alzheimer's Research: Why Placebos Are Important(National Institute on Aging)
- Physical Activity and Alzheimer's-Related Hippocampal Atrophy(National Institute on Aging)
- Treatment Horizon(Alzheimer's Association)
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)- Article: Folate and homocysteine metabolisms and their roles in the biochemical...
- Article: Multimodality imaging of Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerative dementias.
- Article: Potential breakthrough in Alzheimer's diagnosis. A retinal imaging device may...
- Alzheimer's Disease -- see more articles
- Causes of Alzeheimer's disease -- see more articles
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Dictionaries/Glossaries
- Alzheimer's: Glossary(Alzheimer's Association)
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Directories
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers(National Institute on Aging)
- Find a Neurologist(American Academy of Neurology)
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Organizations
- About the ADEAR Center(National Institute on Aging)
- Administration on Aging
- Alzheimer's Association
- Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Also available in Spanish
- National Institute on Aging
- Also available in Spanish
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Law and Policy
- End-of-Life Decisions: Honoring the Wishes of the Person with Alzheimer's Disease(Alzheimer's Association) - PDF
- Health Care Reform and Alzheimer's Disease(Alzheimer's Association)
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Statistics
- Alzheimer's Facts and Figures(Alzheimer's Association)
- Mortality from Alzheimer's Disease in the United States: Data for 2000 and 2010(National Center for Health Statistics)
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Children
- Alzheimer Disease(Nemours Foundation)
- Helping Kids Understand Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Return to top
Teenagers
- Talking to Kids and Teens(Alzheimer's Association)
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Patient Handouts
- Alzheimer's disease
- Also available in Spanish
- Bathing(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Brain PET scan
- Also available in Spanish
- Changes in Communication Skills(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Changes in Intimacy and Sexuality(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Coping with Agitation and Aggression(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Daily Activities(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- End-of-Life Care(National Institute on Aging)
- Exercise and Physical Activity(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Grooming and Dressing(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Hallucinations, Delusions, and Paranoia(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Healthy Eating(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Helping Family and Friends Understand Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Helping Kids Understand Alzheimer's Disease(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Incontinence(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Managing Medicines(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Managing Personality and Behavior Changes(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
- Mental status testing
- Also available in Spanish
- Rummaging and Hiding Things(National Institute on Aging) - PDF
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