Alzheimer's disease (AD)

Alzheimer's disease (AD), also called Alzheimer disease or simply Alzheimer's, is the the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer's is a degenerative and terminal disease for which there is no known cure. In its most common form, it afflicts individuals over 65 years old, although a less prevalent early-onset form also exists. It is estimated that 26.6 million people worldwide were afflicted by AD in 2006, which could quadruple by 2050,[1] although estimations vary greatly.[2]

The disease can develop many years before it is eventually diagnosed. In its early stages, memory loss, shown as a difficulty to remember recently learned facts, is the most common symptom, although it is often initially misdiagnosed as age-related memory-loss or stress.[3] Later symptoms include confusion, anger, mood swings, language breakdown, long-term memory loss, and the general withdrawal of the sufferer as his or her senses decline.[3][4] The sufferer gradually loses minor and major bodily functions leading to death.[5] Each individual experiences the symptoms of AD in unique ways.[6] The duration of the disease is between 5 and 20 years.