Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that causes dementia and a loss of mental abilities. The brain cells of Alzheimer's patients become damaged by abnormal proteins called plaques and tangles. This disease may be diagnosed with early testing.

Alzheimer's disease is an incurable and unpreventable disease. There are certain risk factors that Alzheimer's patients have in common. However, the exact cause of the disease is undetermined.

What's the matter with the white matter in your brain? Find out what white matter is and how science is connecting it to dementia and brain health.

Most of us will slow down a bit, physically and mentally, as we get older ' but there's a big difference between occasional forgetfulness and senility, or senile dementia. Here's what to look for if you are concerned that someone in your family may be suffering from this condition, which is often co

The central nervous system is composed of millions of nerve cells (neurons) and other tissues which control the body's every function. Like with any other body system, there are diseases and conditions which have an effect on the central nervous system's ability to perform its function. One of those

You probably already know some of the challenges of dementia. Dementia patients not only forget things, they also forget what things are for. Food and other objects become foreign to them. The process of forgetting is frustrating for both patient and caregiver. Designing a room that employs safety a

How Alzheimer's Disease Affects the BrainThe brain contains over 100 billion nerve cells, or neurons. These neurons have trillions of connecting points that allow signals to travel through the neurons to produce memory, thoughts and feelings. Alzheimer's disease destroys neurons, which...

Have you heard the phrase, "He's oriented times three"? What does that mean, and how is cognitive orientation assessed in dementia?

Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disease that affects cognition, memory and social abilities. The disease is not a normal part of growing old; it is a disorder that gets worse with age, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Currently, there is no known cure. Available treatments focus on reducing

Exelon and Namenda are both Alzheimer's drugs prescribed in varying stages of the disease. They act to slow the symptoms, which include memory loss, depression, disorientation, mood swings. Together, however, these drugs can greatly improve the quality of life for an Alzheimer's patient.

Have you ever experienced that tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon? That's a frequent frustration for many people, including those who are living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. Learn about some of the causes of word-finding difficulties, as well as some practical suggestions for how to res

Pathophysiology studies changes in function of an organ or tissue caused by a disease or an injury. According to the Mayo Clinic and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), there are two main pathophysiological changes in the brain found in Alzheimer's disease: plaques and tangles.

You've misplaced your keys and wonder if it's simple forgetfulness or something more serious. Talking to your family doctor is the first step to understanding what kind of memory loss you're facing. If a specialist is needed, your family doctor might refer you to a neurologist or a geriatric psychia

Learn how being overweight or obese can affect your chances of developing Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

AIDS Dementia Complex, or ADC, is one of the neurological conditions associated with AIDS and is an AIDS-defining illness. According to HIV InSite, there is a high morbidity rate associated with ADC, especially when severe. ADC impacts motor skills, cognition and sometimes behavior and is thought to

Dementia is a loss of cognitive function beyond what is normally associated with aging. Although generally associated with age, dementia can occur during other stages of adulthood. Early diagnosis is key to coping effectively with the onset of dementia-related illnesses. Memory testing is the prim

Hallucinations can occur in several types of dementia, but people with Lewy body dementia are particularly prone to experience repetitive hallucinations. Learn more about this phenomenon, including some tips for responding to and treating hallucinations in Lewy body dementia.

Dementia is a condition characterized by diminished brain functions, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. It is often caused by brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The condition is not curable, but there a number

Dementia involves degeneration of the brain, which leads to decreased cognitive skills, poor memory and decreased ability to pay attention. Patients may have difficulty recalling simple events, such as what they ate for breakfast. Changes in behavior and personality may also occur. A person who w

According to the American Health Assistance Foundation, more than 5 million Americans are believed to have Alzheimer's disease. It mostly affects the elderly but has been seen in individuals as young as 40.