Alzheimer disease is a type of dementia. It leads to problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. It starts slowly and gets worse over time. Alzheimer dementia is when the disease makes it hard for people to take care of themselves.
The exact cause is not known. Genetics may play a role.
It is more common in people who are 65 and older. It is also more common in people who have other families members who have it. Other things that may raise the risk are:
Lifestyle habits that may raise the risk are:
Symptoms start slowly and get worse over time. They may be:
There are no tests to confirm the disease. The doctor will as about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. A cognitive exam will also be done. More tests will be done to rule out problems.
Blood tests will be done.
Images may be taken of the brain. This can be done with:
Some people may need more testing based on their symptoms.
There is no cure. The goal of most care is support and safety. A person may need to be placed in a care facility when care can no longer be provided at home. Treatment options are:
Some people may be given medicine to help slow the disease. It may be:
Other treatments may be used to slow the disease. These may be:
Healthy habits may lower the risk of Alzheimer disease in some people. This means:
Alzheimer's Association
National Institute on Aging
Alzheimer Society Canada
Health Canada
Alzheimer dementia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/alzheimer-dementia. Updated August 9, 2019. Accessed October 18, 2019.
Atri A. The Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Spectrum: Diagnosis and Management. Med Clin North Am. 2019 Mar;103(2):263-293.
Treatment of Alzheimer's disease. National Institute on Aging website. Available at: http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-medications-fact-sheet. Accessed October 2, 2017.
9/3/2014 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114193...zheimer-dementia: Wippold FJ, Brown DC, Broderick DF, et al. American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria for dementia and movement disorders. Available at: http://www.acr.org/~/media/ACR/Documents/AppCriteria/Diagnostic/DementiaAndMovementDisorders.pdf. Updated 2014. Accessed September 3, 2014.
10/17/2016 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114193...zheimer-dementia: Arvanitakis Z, Capuano AW, et al. Relation of cerebral vessel disease to Alzheimer's disease dementia and cognitive function in elderly people: a cross-sectional study. Lancet Neurol. 2016 Aug;15(9):934-943.
Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Rimas Lukas, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.