Early Signs of Alzheimer's
This common early sign involves frequently forgetting recently learned information.
What is memory loss?
This is the greatest known risk factor for developing Alzheimer's, typically affecting people over 65.
What is age?
Alzheimer's is the most common type of this broader category of brain disorders.
What is dementia?
This type of imaging technology is used to detect amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.
What is PET (Positron Emission Tomography)?
This is a stage where a person can still function independently. The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects.
What is early stage (mild) Alzheimer’s?
This sign includes losing the ability to complete familiar tasks, like cooking or driving to a known location.
What is difficulty performing everyday tasks?
Having a parent, sibling, or child with Alzheimer's increases your risk due to this.
What is family history or genetics?
Alzheimer's disease primarily affects this part of the brain, responsible for memory and learning.
What is the hippocampus?
This groundbreaking 2021 FDA-approved drug targets amyloid plaques to slow the progression of Alzheimer's.
What is Aduhelm (aducanumab)?
This is typically the longest stage and can last for many years. As the disease progresses, the person with Alzheimer's will require a greater level of care. Symptoms are more pronounced. the person may confuse words, get frustrated or angry, and act in unexpected ways, such as refusing to bathe.
What is middle stage (moderate) Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer's can cause this, making it hard for a person to find the right words or follow a conversation.
What is difficulty with language or communication?
A healthy one of these, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.
What is lifestyle?
Alzheimer's is characterized by these two types of abnormal structures in the brain.
What are plaques and tangles?
Research is investigating this protein, which forms tangles inside neurons and is linked to Alzheimer's progression.
What is tau?
Individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or phrases, but communicating pain becomes difficult.
What is late stage Alzheimer’s (severe)?
A person with Alzheimer's may place things in unusual spots and be unable to retrace steps to find them.
What is misplacing items?
This medical condition, often linked to heart disease, also increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
What is high blood pressure?
This test, often used in diagnosis, involves asking questions to assess memory, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities.
What is a cognitive or memory test?
These are the long-term studies that track people over time to identify potential risk factors for Alzheimer's.
What are longitudinal studies?
This time span is four to eight years, but up to 20 years, depending on factors.
What is the life span of someone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s?
This sign involves becoming easily confused about dates, seasons, or the passage of time.
What is disorientation to time and place?
This type of traumatic event, particularly repeated instances, can increase Alzheimer's risk later in life.
What is a head injury?
This hormone, often referred to as the "stress hormone," can, when elevated, contribute to the development of Alzheimer's.
What is cortisol?
This type of study is crucial for testing new Alzheimer's treatments, often involving placebo and treatment groups.
What is a clinical trial?
Being vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia, is associated with which stage of dementia?
What is a late-stage (severe) dementia?