An estimated 6.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. Early-onset Alzheimer’s is an uncommon form of dementia that strikes people younger than 65. The estimated cost of caring for patients with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the United States in 2023 is $345 billion. The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s doubles every five years after the age of 65. Genetics play a role in an individual’s risk of developing the disease. There is a possible link between the disease and repeated trauma or loss of consciousness. The risk of vascular dementia increases with heart conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. The FDA approves the use of the experimental drug aducanumab for early phases of Alzheimer’s. This is the first time since the FDA approved a novel therapy for Alzheimer’s in 2003 that is connected to the genes that cause the disease, despite an advisory committee concluding last year that there is not enough evidence to support the effectiveness of the treatment. It is the fifth leading cause of death for adults in the U.S. aged 65 or older. The disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who discovered the amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which are considered the hallmarks of the disease in a 1906 autopsy of a woman who died after exhibiting language problems, unpredictable behavior and memory loss. For more information on Alzheimer’s, visit the Alzheimer’s Association’s website or go to www.alzheimer’s.org. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a not-for-profit organization that supports research into Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. For confidential support, call 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.Alzheimer’s.org/. For support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch or click here. For information on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, go to http:// www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or visit the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-844-788-88 or http://www the-samaritans.org or the National Suicide prevention Lifeline on 888-273 8255. For help in the Philippines, call the Samaritans on 08457 909090 or visit their page on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, or click here. For information on how to help a relative or a friend in need of help, visit www.samaritan.org or the Salvation Army. For information about how to get involved in the National Alzheimer’s Society, visit www.salvationarmy.org, or click www.salvagearms.org . For more info on the Alzheimers Foundation of America, Go to the NHS and the Alzheimer’s Association on Facebook.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease that causes memory loss and other mental problems. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
