FAQ’s

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia; it starts with memory loss and gets worse over time. There is no cure, but there are treatment options that may improve some symptoms and some treatments aim to slow or delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.¹

What causes Alzheimer’s disease?

Scientists don’t know precisely what causes Alzheimer’s Disease, but it is related to the accumulation of proteins in the brain, specifically amyloid plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles, that lead to brain degeneration.¹

What is the life expectancy in Alzheimer's disease?

Life expectancy for patients with Alzheimer’s disease generally varies between 3 to 10 years after diagnosis.²

What are the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease?

Risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease include¹:

Increasing age

Family History

Traumatic head injury

Depression

Cardiovascular disease

Cerebrovascular disease

Higher parental age

Smoking

Increased homocysteine levels

Presence of Apolipoprotein (APOE) e4 allele

Who gets Alzheimer’s disease?

It is estimated that nearly 40 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease worldwide. Symptoms of the disease usually appear after the age of 65, but can occur in a small percentage of younger patients (early Alzheimer’s).³

What are the stages of Alzheimer's disease?

Stages of Alzheimer’s disease are pre-clinical, mild, moderate, and severe.¹

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?

The earliest and most common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is short-term memory loss. Symptoms tend to get worse as the disease progresses, and include^1,2:

Memory loss
Judgment/problem-solving difficulties
Trouble completing familiar tasks
Problems communicating, both speaking and writing
Time/place confusion
Vision/spatial issues
Social withdrawal
Mood changes like apathy and irritability
Sleep disturbances
Problems with movement

How to prevent Alzheimer’s disease?

There is no guaranteed method of preventing Alzheimer’s Disease. However, some studies suggest that adopting a healthy lifestyle, including diet modifications and regular exercise, may decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, participating in mentally stimulating activities like reading, playing music, and social activities may also decrease AD risk.^1,3

How is Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed?

Early diagnosis can benefit people with Alzheimer’s disease by allowing them more time for treatment as well as long-term planning and family communication. Alzheimer’s disease is typically diagnosed via^1,4:

Gathering information from family members and caregivers

Physical exam including neurological findings

Cognitive testing, looking at memory, problem-solving, etc.

Blood tests looking for biomarkers

Neuroimaging, like MRI, PET, and other scans

Ruling out other potential causes of dementia

How is Alzheimer’s disease treated?

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, several treatment options are available aimed at improving quality of life and cognitive function. Medications like donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and memantine may help decrease the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. A class of medications called anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies, may slow the protein deposition and brain shrinkage that is characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease^1,2.

What to do with a new diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease?

A new diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging to both the person affected and their family. Keeping an open line of communication with the healthcare team can help with finding clinical trials and dealing with tough decisions. Future planning, like addressing financial, legal, and end-of-life issues should be addressed as soon as possible. Societies, associations, and support groups can offer both patients and caregivers a place to share concerns, get helpful tips, and receive emotional support. Examples include:

National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers
Alzheimers.gov: https://www.alzheimers.gov/
Alzheimer’s Association®. Treatments and research. https://www.alz.org/help-support/i-have-alz/treatments-research
Caregiver Resources & Long-Term Care: https://www.hhs.gov/aging/long-term-care/index.html
Caregiver Support: https://www.usa.gov/disability-caregiver