Alzheimer's Disease Definition

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

According to the Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life.^[2] Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a disease of unknown cause that results in declining brain function.^[1] There is no known cure for the disease. Over time, memory and thinking skills are destroyed. Symptoms usually appear after age 60. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, or decreased brain function, in older people.

In the United States, an estimated 2.4 to 4.5 million people have Alzheimer's disease. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.^[2] Alzheimer's disease strikes men and women equally.^[3] Risk for Alzheimer's disease increases with age. Higher levels of education are associated with reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease.