Alzheimer's General Information Sheet

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

A degenerative brain disorder that affects memory, thinking skills, spacial awareness and ability to perform activities of daily living. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia making up about 60-80% of cases. It primarily affects the elderly, age 65 and above, but can also affect younger populations in early-onset forms. 

Common Symptoms

- Memory loss disrupting daily life 

- Difficulty planning or solving problems 

- Confusion with time or place 

- Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships 

- Problems with speaking or writing 

- Misplacing things and inability to retrace steps 

- Poor judgment or decision-making 

- Withdrawal from work or social activities 

- Mood and personality changes (depression, fear, paranoia)

How Alzheimer's Affects the Brain

Although more research is needed in Alzheimer's disease and the brain in general, it is understood that Alzheimer's affects specific plaques in the brain. These plaques build up on neurons responsible for sending signals throughout the brain and body. The neurons cannot pass messages efficiently, and connections between brain regions, like memory and decision making, break down. This leads to the symptoms listed above and progressively worsens over time due to further blockages in the brain.