Alzheimer Disease
Alzheimer's disease
Senile dementia - Alzheimer's type (SDAT); SDAT
Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Alzheimer's disease (AD), is one form of dementia that gradually gets worse over time. It affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
You are more likely to get Alzheimer's disease (AD) if you: * Are older. However, developing AD is not a part of normal aging. * Have a close blood relative, such as a brother, sister, or parent with AD. * Have certain genes linked to AD, such as APOE epsilon4 allele
The following may also increase your risk, although this is not well proven: * Being female * Having high blood pressure for a long time * History of head trauma
There are two types of AD: * Early onset AD: Symptoms appear before age 60. This type is much less common than late onset. However, it tends to get worse quickly. Early onset disease can run in families. Several genes have been identified. * Late onset AD: This is the most common type. It occurs in people age 60 and older. It may run in some families, but the role of genes is less clear.
The cause of AD is not clear. Your genes and environmental factors seem to play a role. Aluminum, lead, and mercury in the brain is no longer believed to be a cause of AD.
Symptoms
Dementia symptoms include difficulty with many areas of mental function, including: * Emotional behavior or personality * Language * Memory * Perception * Thinking and judgment (cognitive skills)
Dementia usually first appears as forgetfulness.
Mild cognitive impairment is the stage between normal forgetfulness due to aging, and the development of AD. People with MCI have mild problems with thinking and memory that do not interfere with everyday activities. They are often aware of the forgetfulness. Not everyone with MCI develops AD.
Symptoms of MCI include: * Difficulty performing more than one task at a time *
Senile dementia - Alzheimer's type (SDAT); SDAT
Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Alzheimer's disease (AD), is one form of dementia that gradually gets worse over time. It affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
You are more likely to get Alzheimer's disease (AD) if you: * Are older. However, developing AD is not a part of normal aging. * Have a close blood relative, such as a brother, sister, or parent with AD. * Have certain genes linked to AD, such as APOE epsilon4 allele
The following may also increase your risk, although this is not well proven: * Being female * Having high blood pressure for a long time * History of head trauma
There are two types of AD: * Early onset AD: Symptoms appear before age 60. This type is much less common than late onset. However, it tends to get worse quickly. Early onset disease can run in families. Several genes have been identified. * Late onset AD: This is the most common type. It occurs in people age 60 and older. It may run in some families, but the role of genes is less clear.
The cause of AD is not clear. Your genes and environmental factors seem to play a role. Aluminum, lead, and mercury in the brain is no longer believed to be a cause of AD.
Symptoms
Dementia symptoms include difficulty with many areas of mental function, including: * Emotional behavior or personality * Language * Memory * Perception * Thinking and judgment (cognitive skills)
Dementia usually first appears as forgetfulness.
Mild cognitive impairment is the stage between normal forgetfulness due to aging, and the development of AD. People with MCI have mild problems with thinking and memory that do not interfere with everyday activities. They are often aware of the forgetfulness. Not everyone with MCI develops AD.
Symptoms of MCI include: * Difficulty performing more than one task at a time *