Alzheimer Disease
Also known as Alzheimers, Alzheimer type dementia
This article is general health information for the selected condition. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace clinical judgement. If you have questions or need treatment advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
What is alzheimer disease?
Alzheimer disease is the most common cause of dementia. It develops gradually as abnormal amyloid and tau proteins accumulate and brain cells are lost, typically affecting recent memory first. It is a disease process, not normal ageing, and early assessment allows planning, treatment of reversible contributors, and access to support.
Causes
- Accumulation of amyloid plaques between brain cells
- Tau tangles inside neurons
- Progressive loss of synapses and brain volume
- Genetic contribution, strongly so in rare early onset forms
Symptoms
- Difficulty remembering recent conversations or events
- Repeating questions
- Word finding difficulty
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Difficulty with planning, money or complex tasks
- Changes in mood, withdrawal or apathy
- Loss of independence in daily activities over time
Risk factors
- Age, which is the strongest risk factor
- Family history and the APOE e4 gene variant
- Cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension and diabetes
- Head injury
- Physical inactivity, smoking and social isolation
- Hearing loss that is left untreated
Diagnosis
- History from the person and someone who knows them well
- Cognitive testing such as MoCA or MMSE
- Blood tests to exclude thyroid disease and vitamin B12 deficiency
- MRI or CT brain imaging
- Specialist testing including amyloid PET or cerebrospinal fluid markers
Treatment
- Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil for mild to moderate disease
- Memantine for moderate to severe disease
- Amyloid targeting antibody therapy in selected early cases
- Treating hearing loss, sleep and mood problems
- Structured routines and cognitive and social stimulation
- Carer education, respite and advance care planning
Self care
- Keep a consistent daily routine and use calendars and reminders
- Stay physically active most days
- Keep socially engaged and treat hearing loss promptly
- Prioritise sleep and daylight exposure
- Simplify the home and reduce clutter to lower fall and confusion risk
- Arrange legal and financial planning early while capacity is good
- Carers should accept practical help and respite early rather than late
When to see a doctor
Book an appointment if:
- Memory or thinking changes noticed by you or those around you
- Sudden worsening of confusion, which often signals infection
- New agitation, hallucinations or distressing behaviour
- Weight loss, swallowing difficulty or repeated falls
- Carer exhaustion or low mood
- To review whether medicines are still helping
Some symptoms need emergency care rather than an appointment. See the warning signs listed above.
Prevention
- Control blood pressure, especially in midlife
- Treat hearing loss with hearing aids
- Stay physically, socially and mentally active
- Do not smoke and limit alcohol
- Manage diabetes, cholesterol and obesity
- Protect the head from injury
- Treat depression and address social isolation
Outlook
Alzheimer disease is progressive and currently has no cure. Rate of decline varies widely, with many people living well for years after diagnosis. Symptomatic medicines can improve function for a period, and newer amyloid targeting therapies modestly slow early disease in carefully selected patients. Good management of hearing, sleep, mood and physical health meaningfully affects day to day quality of life.
Common questions
Is forgetfulness always Alzheimer disease?
No. Occasional forgetfulness is common at any age. Depression, thyroid disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, poor sleep and some medicines can all impair memory and are reversible, which is why assessment matters.
Can Alzheimer disease be prevented?
There is no guaranteed prevention, but controlling blood pressure and diabetes, staying physically and socially active, not smoking and treating hearing loss are all associated with lower dementia risk.
Do current treatments stop the disease?
Standard medicines help symptoms rather than halting progression. Newer amyloid targeting antibodies can modestly slow decline in early disease for carefully selected patients, and they carry meaningful risks that require specialist supervision.
References
Important: Dard AI is not a medical device and does not diagnose, treat, or replace clinician judgement. This article is general information only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about diagnosis and treatment, and seek emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.