Terri Ann Witham

• 1: Home
• 2: Alzheimer's Disease
  • 2.1: Information
    • 2.1.1: Don't Be Embarrassed
    • 2.1.2: Overview of Alzheimer's Disease
    • 2.1.3: Signs and Symptoms
    • 2.1.4: Three Stages of AD
    • 2.1.5: Diagnosing AD
• 3: Contact

A Brief Overview of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease was identified by a German physician, Alois Alzheimer in 1906. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that occurs in the brain. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is distinguished from other forms of dementia by characteristic changes in the brain. This is only visible under a microscope during an autopsy. When looking at the brain during the autopsy you will see fiber tangles within nerve cells and clusters of degenerating nerve endings. Another characteristic of the disease is the reduced productions of certain brain chemicals. These chemicals are necessary for communication between nerve cells.

Alzheimer's disease affects millions of people each year. These individuals are robbed of their memories, personalities and daily functions. This is a very sad disease, but if it is recognized early there are medicines that will slow down the process.