Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease most often presents with subtle onset of memory loss followed by a slowly progressive dementia over a course of several years. Pathologically there is gross, diffuse atrophy of the cerebral cortex with secondary enlargement of the ventricular system. Alzheimer’s Disease damages individual brain cells one by one, so that the brain can’t work as well as it used to. A protein called amyloid builds up in deposits, called plaques, and tiny filaments in the brain cell form ‘tangles’.

In the early stages of the disease, the memory loss may go unrecognised or may be ascribed to benign forgetfulness. Slowly the cognitive problems begin to interfere with daily activities, such as keeping track of finances, following instructions on the job, driving, shopping, and housekeeping. Some patients are unaware of these difficulties (agnosognosia) and others have considerable insight, resulting in frustration and anxiety. These major differences in insight have no clear explanation. Change of environment may be bewildering, and the patient may become lost on walks or while driving and automobile.

Alzheimer’s disease affects half a million people in the UK and is responsible for three out of four cases of dementia in the over-65s. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65. Around one in five people over 80 has the condition.

Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia

Alzheimer's Disease Research Centre

Dementia Services Development Trust

Alzheimer's Information in different languages