The Burden of AD

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurogenerative disease responsible for at least two-thirds of dementia cases in people age 65 and older, making it the most common cause of cognitive decline, affecting around 24 million adults worldwide.1 About 1 in 9 persons in the US older than 65 years has Alzheimer’s dementia, with AD accounting for a leading cause of death among Americans, surpassing conditions such as diabetes, influenza and pneumonia.2,3

This debilitating condition tends to affect those over 65, with less than 10% of cases occurring in younger people; before age 65, the incidence of AD is less than 1% per year.1 After the age of 65, however, this number increases almost exponentially, doubling every 5 years.1 Researchers are uncertain whether the incidence continues to climb with age or reaches a plateau.4 Some studies suggest that the incidence of AD in women may be slightly higher, especially with age greater than 85 years.1

So, what is the cause of Alzheimer’s and dementia? It is believed that AD develops as a consequence due to multiple factors, with the exception of the presence of certain genes/genetic mutations which can significantly increase risk.2 Apolipoprotein E (APOE) isoform e4, associated with sporadic/familial forms of AD, does not always result in the development of AD; however, higher risk is associated with two present alleles (90%) than with one allele (50%).1 Notably, a mutation in the genes for presenilin (PSEN) 1 or 2 or the amyloid precursor protein (APP) provides a virtual certainty for AD development within a normal life span.1,2 These inherited mutations are autosomal dominant with near complete penetrance, and account for 5%-10% of all AD cases as well as the majority of early-onset AD (before the age of 65).1,2,5  It is believed that certain risk factors can be the causes of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Risk factors for developing AD include1,2,5:

Increasing age

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Depression

Cardiovascular disease

Cerebrovascular disease

Increased homocysteine levels

Alzheimer’s disease places a heavy emotional and economic burden on families and society due to the need for ongoing therapy and support,4  with Alzheimer’s caregivers typically taking on the majority of care. In the US alone, about 11 million people provide unpaid care for their loved ones with AD or other forms of dementia.2 Lifetime healthcare costs associated with dementia care are staggering, with individual estimates approaching $400,000 in 2021; caregivers bear a large burden of this, with 70% of cost due to unpaid caregiving and related out-of-pocket expenses such as food and medication.2 Many caregivers work while providing care, and have reported delaying or not participating in their own health maintenance.  Detect Alzheimer’s understands what patients and caregivers face. We have compiled a list of patient and Alzheimer’s caregiver support networks here.

References

  1. Kumar A, Sidhu J, Goyal A, et al. Alzheimer Disease. StatPearls. 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499922/
  2. Alzheimer’s Association®. 2022 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures: special report. More than normal aging: understanding mild cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s Dement. 2022;18. https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC). Leading Causes of Death. Last reviewed 9/6/22. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm
  4. Qiu, C, Kivipelto, M, & von Strauss, E. Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease: Occurrence, Determinants, and Strategies Toward Intervention. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2009; 11:111-128.
  5. Wolk, DA & Dickerson, BC. Clinical Features and Diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-features-and-diagnosis-of-alzheimer-disease

All URLs accessed November 2, 2022.

Scientific Council

Liana G. Apostolova, MD, MSc, FAAN

Indiana University Distinguished Professor
Barbara and Peer Baekgaard Professor in Alzheimer's Disease Research
Professor in Neurology, Radiology, Medical and Molecular Genetics
Indiana University School of Medicine
Department of Neurology
Indianapolis, IN

Alireza Atri, MD, PhD

Director, Banner Sun Health Research Institute
Banner Health
Sun City, AZ
Lecturer on Neurology, Center for Brain/Mind Medicine
Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA

Ariel F. Cole, MD, FAAFP

Program Director, AdventHealth Geriatric Fellowship
Winter Park, FL

Brad Dickerson, MD

Director, Frontotemporal Disorders Unit
Massachusetts General Hospital
Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA

Richard M. Dupee, MD, MACP, AGSF

Clinical Professor of Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine
Clinical professor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University
Chief, Geriatrics Service, Tufts Medical Center
Senior Physician, Pratt Diagnostic Center
Dean ex officio, Office of International Affairs, Tufts University School of Medicine
Boston, MA

James E. Galvin, MD, MPH

Professor of Neurology
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Miami, FL

David S. Geldmacher, MD

Professor and Director
Division of Memory Disorders and Behavioral Neurology
Department of Neurology
Heersink School of Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

George T. Grossberg MD

Professor and Director, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
St. Louis, MO

Scott A. Kaiser, MD

Director of Geriatric Cognitive Health
Pacific Neuroscience Institute
Santa Monica, CA

Diana R. Kerwin, MD, CPI

President, Kerwin Medical Center
Chief, Geriatric Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital
Dallas, TX

Scott McGinnis, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Frontotemporal Disorders Unit
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA

Giulio M. Pasinetti, MD, PhD

The Saunders Family Chair and Professor of Neurology
Director of the Center for Molecular Integrative Neuroresilience,
Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Professor of Geriatrics and Adult Development
Department of Neurology and Friedman Brain Institute
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, NY

Marwan N. Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, CCRI

Professor of Neurology
Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Division
Associate Program Director for Research-Neurology Residency
Barrow Neurological Institute
Research Professor, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix
Clinical Professor of Neurology, Creighton University
Phoenix, AZ

Paul E. Schulz, MD

Rick McCord Professor in Neurology
Umphrey Family Professor of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Director, Neurocognitive Disorders Center
Director, Neurocognitive Disorders Fellowship
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
Houston, TX

Geoffrey C. Wall, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS

John R. Ellis Distinguished Chair of Pharmacy Practice
Professor of Clinical Sciences
Director, Drake Drug Information Center
Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Internal Medicine Clinical Pharmacist
Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Des Moines, IA

David A. Wolk, MD, FAAN

Professor of Neurology
Director, Penn Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA