Alzheimer's is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia. It is not a normal part of aging.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines dementia as “a loss of thinking, remembering, and reasoning skills that interferes with a person’s daily life and activities.” Other forms include frontotemporal degeneration, dementia with Lewy bodies, and vascular and mixed dementias. Though Alzheimer’s is our focus, the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation funds research to prevent and treat each of these forms of dementia.
Signs & Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease begins slowly from a clinical point of view. In its early stages, it often appears as short-term memory loss. As patients develop dementia and the disease progresses, cognitive and functional impairments become increasingly noticeable and severe. Other forms of dementia may present with different symptoms, such as personality changes, language difficulties, and loss of inhibition.
Pre-Dementia Stage
No obvious symptoms
Amyloid plaques (or clumps) in the brain may be visible on PET scans
Mild forgetfulness and some trouble with planning and decision-making
Trouble remembering events or appointments
Difficulty recalling names of familiar people or things
Mild confusion with orientation and directions
Poor sleep, including sleeping too much and/or waking frequently
Withdrawal and mild depression
Obvious memory loss and inability to recall recent events; may present as asking repetitive questions
Inability to recognize familiar people and places
Noticeable changes in personality include social withdrawal and loss of motivation
Poor judgment, lack of decision-making skills, and inability to plan
Difficulty with simple daily tasks such as brushing teeth or hair
Serious loss of memory and confusion; increasingly poor judgement and lack of inhibition
Major changes in personality and behavior including anxiety, aggression, disorientation, and confusion. Some patients experience psychosis and depression.
