MAIN Health Diseases Alzheimer's Disease

Memory loss and dementia in old age has been recognized for centuries by the medical establishment.

As the body ages, symptoms of brain atrophy begin to appear in the sudden forgetfulness of familiar names, faces, or surroundings.

Yet it wasn't until 1906 when German physician Alois Alzheimer performed autopsies on patients with severe brain abnormalities was this particular form of dementia given a name.

What Alzheimer found, to his surprise, was plaque surrounding nerve cells within the brain and, deeper within those nerve cells, twisted fibers called neurofibrillary tangles. Today, these two conditions are the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, although not readily diagnosable without tests that would further harm the patient.

Today, physicians usually engage in detective work to diagnose the condition by testing for the presence of certain proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid, or through simple observations of the patient's behavior. Alzheimer's symptoms such as forgetfulness, mental confusion, slurred speech, or other behaviors ranging from apathy to agitation and restlessness - are signs that a patient may be suffering from Alzheimer's disease, or AD.

In addition, there are still many unknowns about the causes of Alzheimer's disease. It seems to have a hereditary component, but not in all cases.

Research in genetics and with new drugs are making exciting discoveries that may shed some light on what goes wrong. Tests to diagnose Alzheimer's are picking up the symptoms earlier, and Alzheimer's treatments are being developed that may end the brain damage done by this little understood illness.

Until drugs are developed and rigorously tested in more human trials, patients and families must continue to cope with the disease ...

Around the Web, find help through online support, facts & information, and the progress shown in recent studies holding out new hope for battling Alzheimer's disease.

More about Alzheimer's disease around the Web:

Alzheimer Association - This site is for patients, caregivers and families. Resources include registration for the 'Safe Return' program, links in many languages and an online information and support community with a 24 hour hotline.

ADEAR - Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center - US government sponsored site with good information, a telephone support line and lots of free resources. Videos and other information can be requested online.

Alzheimer Europe - Site focuses on EU Alzheimer's issues. Other forms of dementia that may be confused with Alzheimer's are discussed. German version is available.

The Ribbon - Caregivers can find themselves feeling lost and hopeless when dealing with the emotional effects of Alzheimer's. The Ribbon is a space where sharing is made easy through a chat room and forum. Real support and information in a well designed format make this newsletter/online support site a welcome resource.

Alzforum: Alzheimer Research Forum - This site is geared to researchers so if you're not familiar with chemokine receptors and prions, it may not be for you. It does present the latest thinking about the causes and treatments of this disease.

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made in consultation with medical professionals.