Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder in which nerve cells are gradually destroyed, leading to a slow decline in memory and cognitive function. It is the most common cause of dementia.
Details
What Is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder first reported by German physician Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and the most common cause of dementia (60-70%). Beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles accumulate in the brain, gradually destroying nerve cells.
Stages of Progression
Preclinical Stage: No symptoms are present, but pathological changes have begun in the brain. This can last for decades.
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): Memory decline appears, but daily functioning remains possible.
Mild Alzheimer's: Recent memory loss, difficulty planning, and word-finding problems emerge.
Moderate: Past memories are also affected, with spatial-temporal confusion and significant behavioral changes.
Severe: Communication becomes impossible, full-time care is needed, and physical functions decline.
Risk Factors
These include age (sharp increase after 65), genetics (APOE4 gene), family history, head trauma, and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity).
Current Treatment and Outlook
While there is no cure yet, medications and non-pharmacological treatments (cognitive stimulation, exercise, music therapy, etc.) are used to slow cognitive decline. Recent development of amyloid-targeting antibody treatments has brought new hope.
💡 Real-Life Example
First forgetting where you put your keys, then gradually being unable to remember family members' names — this is the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
This content is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis.