Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disorder of the brain and one of several conditions that cause dementia, a progressive decline of mental functions resulting in memory loss and confusion. It is estimated that about 4 million Americans have the disease and that Alzheimer's is responsible for 50 percent to 70 percent of all cases of dementia.

The cause of Alzheimer's is unknown but doctors are making progress in understanding and diagnosing the disease and developing drug treatments that may slow the decline. Researchers are investigating what happens to brain cells in people with Alzheimer's disease and what genes are associated with the disorder. Most researchers believe that the cause may be a complex set of factors, including genetics, age and a person's risk for vascular diseases, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure.

The illness was first described in 1906 by a German doctor named Alois Alzheimer. Symptoms include a gradual loss of memory, problems with reasoning or judgment, disorientation, difficulty in learning, loss of language skills and a decline in the ability to perform routine tasks. Alzheimer's patients also may undergo changes in behavior, experiencing agitation, anxiety and hallucinations.

The incidence of Alzheimer's disease, sometimes called AD, rises with age. Men and women are equally at risk, but more women are affected since women have a longer average life span. About 30 percent of patients with Alzheimer's have a family member with the disease.

You may need a referral from your primary care doctor. Please check with your medical benefits or health insurance representative.

See books recommended by the UCSF Memory and Aging Center.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated February 12, 2008