Definition of Alzheimer’s disease

Once considered a rare disorder it is now recognized as a major public health problem having a severe impact on millions of Americans and their families. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease characterized by plaques tangles and neuronal loss.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common causes of the loss of mental function known broadly as dementia.

Dementia is defined as progressive and global memory loss accompanied by deterioration of other intellectual functions including deficits in at least two of the following areas: language use, perception, motor skills, learning ability, problem solving, abstract thought and judgment.

There are many possible causes of dementia besides Alzheimer’s disease, including Lewy body dementia, frontotemparal dementia, and vascular dementia, as well as various neurologic and medical conditions.

Studies concur that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia representing approximately 60% to 70% of all cases and afflicting form to five millions Americans.
Definition of Alzheimer’s disease