What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain which causes thinking and memory to become seriously impaired. It is the most common form of dementia and is named after the German doctor Alois Alzheimer who first identified the condition in 1906. Alois Alzheimer described the appearance of ‘tangles’ and ‘plaques’ which have since been found to be caused by a build-up of proteins in the brain and play a part in its deterioration.

Alzheimer’s disease gradually affects the ability of the brain to function properly, causing the loss of intellectual and social abilities severe enough to interfere with daily functioning. This happens because nerve cells, in certain areas of the brain which control a person’s mental abilities, start to deteriorate and die. The reason this happens is not fully known, but may be due to the build up of plaques and tangles in the brain.

Alzheimer’s disease proceeds in stages over months or years and gradually destroys memory, reason, judgment, language, and eventually the ability to carry out even simple tasks. People with Alzheimer’s disease experience problems with thinking and behaviour severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there are treatments to help temporarily slow the progression of the symptoms of the disease.