Also Known As
Pre-senile dementia, primary degenerative dementia

What Is This Condition?
Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia, a condition marked by mental deterioration. About 5% of people over age 65 have the severe form of this disease, and an additional 12% suffer from a mild-to-moderate form. As yet there is no cure for this disorder. 

How Does This Present Itself?
Onset of Alzheimer's disease is slow and subtle. At first, there are almost imperceptible changes, such as forgetfulness, inability to recall recent events, difficulty in learning and remembering new information, inability to concentrate, and declining personal hygiene and appearance. 
Gradually, tasks that require abstract thinking and judgment become more difficult. There is progressive difficulty communicating with others and severe deterioration in memory, language, and coordination. The ability to write or speak may be lost. Personality changes and insomnia are common. 
Eventually, the person becomes disoriented. His or her emotions may change suddenly. Physical and intellectual functions continue to deteriorate. The person becomes susceptible to infections and accidents. Usually, death results from infection. 

How Is This Condition Diagnosed?
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is difficult because the person's signs and symptoms are obscure. To make a diagnosis, the doctor relies on information provided by a family member, supported by tests of mental status, neurological examinations, and psychometric testing. 
Certain diagnostic tests are performed to rule out other disorders. The diagnosis cannot be confirmed until after death, when an examination of brain tissue shows the disorder's effects. 

What Causes This?
Though the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown, several factors are thought to contribute to the condition. These include short ages of certain neurotransmitters in the brain; environmental factors, such as dietary intake of manganese; slow-growing viruses in the brain or spinal cord; injuries; and genetic or immunologic factors. 

How Is It Managed Conventionally?
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is difficult because the person's signs and symptoms are obscure. To make a diagnosis, the doctor relies on information provided by a family member, supported by tests of mental status, neurological examinations, and psychometric testing. 
Certain diagnostic tests are performed to rule out other disorders. The diagnosis cannot be confirmed until after death, when an examination of brain tissue shows the disorder's effects. 

More Information
Dealing with an Alzheimer's patient can be quite difficult. Keeping these points in mind may help.

• Accept the person's limitations. Don't demand too much because this can cause frustration. Offer help when needed, and distract the person if he or she tries too hard. 

• If the person becomes ill, expect behavior to deteriorate and plan accordingly. Expect a low tolerance for pain and discomfort. 

• Never rely on the person to take medication. He or she may forget to take, or may take too much or too little. 

• Because sight and hearing are distorted, the person has an increased need for closeness and touching. Remember to approach the person from the front. You don't want to frighten the person or provoke belligerence or aggressiveness. 

• If the person with Alzheimer's becomes restless or agitated, divert attention with an appropriate activity. Good choices include walking, rocking in a rocking chair, or folding laundry. These repetitive activities don't require any special planning. A warm bath, a drink of warm milk or a back massage can also be calming