Definition

· ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE is the condition of impaired memory and brain function and is a form of dementia.
· Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.

Overview

· The prevalence of dementia increases with age and reaches prevalence of 50% of the population by age 85.

Factors associated with the development of dementia include:
· advanced age
· family history of dementia
· lower education level
· hypertension
· high cholesterol
· elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood
· excessive alcohol intake
· previous head trauma.

• In contrast to dementia, benign forgetfulness associated with normal aging is usually limited to difficulties with word finding and slight impairments in concentration.

References
Life expectancy after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is typically 3–15 years; it may be shorter than previously reported. Other neurodegenerative dementias, such as dementia with Lewy bodies, show more rapid decline.
Courtney C et al: Long-term donepezil treatment in 565 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD2000): randomised double-blind trial. Lancet 2004;363:2105. [PMID: 15220031]