Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for most (50 to 70 percent) cases of dementia. It results from the buildup of protein deposits called amyloid plaques and tau in the brain over many years. The part of the brain that helps you form new memories is affected first. The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is increasing age. In the general population, people 65 years and older have a 10.8% risk of developing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, and the risk rises from there.
People often use the terms 'Alzheimer's disease' and 'dementia' interchangeably, but they actually mean different things. We find it useful to think about the different stages of progression, including the presymptomatic stage, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. In the presymptomatic stage, a person has no impairments but would show an abnormal build up of amyloid plaques ("Alzheimer's pathology") on a brain scan. Mild cognitive impairment is the term for early cognitive symptoms, when a person still may work, drive, and enjoy hobbies but notices that these activities are taking a bit longer. Dementia is a general term used to describe losses in memory and other intellectual abilities that interfere with daily life and worsen over time.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?
While the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease vary, memory problems are typically one of the first signs of cognitive impairment related to the disease. Many people also notice a decline in other cognitive skills. They may have trouble finding the right words, visual-spatial difficulties, or problems with reasoning or judgment. These can all be early signs of the disease.
People with Alzheimer’s may also have trouble doing everyday things such as driving a car, cooking a meal, or paying bills. They may ask the same questions repeatedly, get lost easily, lose items or put them in odd places, and find even simple matters confusing. As the disease worsens, some people may become worried, restless, or agitated.
These areas may be affected:
•Remembering recent events
•Planning, problem-solving, and decision-making
•Knowing the date or the time
•Finding their way in familiar places
•Doing tasks such as cooking, driving, and paying bills
•Communicating with others
People with dementia live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival with the disease can range from three to 20 years, depending on age, other health conditions, and the cause of the dementia (Symptoms are not always due to Alzheimer's disease pathology. See causes of dementia below). In the late stage of dementia, a person typically relies on others for all of his or her daily needs.
What Medications are Helpful for Alzheimer's Disease?
Several prescription drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Alzheimer’s disease to help either manage the symptoms of or to treat the disease. Most FDA-approved drugs work best for people in the early or middle stages of Alzheimer’s. There are currently no known interventions that will cure Alzheimer’s.
For information about the new FDA-approved infusion treatments, lecanemab and donanemab, and their availability at the MBWC clinic, please see our updated MBWC resource page:
What Else Can Help People Living with Alzheimer's Disease and/or Dementia?
To prolong independence and possibly delay symptoms, clinicians at the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center recommend getting regular exercise, staying connected with family and friends, keeping the mind active, eating a healthy diet, reducing stress, and trying to sleep well.
Support, education, and engagement programs offered by the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center (MBWC) and our collaborators aim to improve the wellbeing of people living with memory loss and their families and help them stay active and engaged in their communities.