Disease is the most common form of dementia

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, and is a deadly disease prevalent in older people. While the causes aren't fully known, there is plenty of research going on in order to find a cure.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior.

Classified as a dementia, it is a loss of intellectual function (thinking, remembering and reasoning) so severe that it interferes with an individual's daily functioning and eventually results in death. Men and women are affected almost equally.

The disease was first described by Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1906. Since then, researchers have developed a deeper understanding of the changes in the brain and behavioral changes that characterize the disease.

There are a number of identified risk factors, but age and family history are the two biggest factors.

Most people diagnosed with Alzheimer's are older than age 65; however, Alzheimer's disease can occur in people in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

Symptoms of Alzheimer's can include gradual memory loss, decline in the ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation, difficulty in learning, loss of language skills, impairment of judgment and planning and personality changes.

The rate of progression varies from person to person.

Although no cure for Alzheimer's disease is currently available, good planning and medical and social management can ease the burdens on the patient and family. Health care directives and decisions can be made while the patient has the mental capacity to do so.

The causes of Alzheimer's disease are not known and are currently receiving intensive scientific investigation.

Suspected causes include diseased genes or a genetic predisposition, abnormal protein build-up in the brain and environmental toxins.

Scientists are applying the newest knowledge and research techniques.

This information was obtained from the Alzheimer's Association.