Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia. Early symptoms commonly include difficulty remembering recent events. As it progresses, it can affect language, orientation, mood, motivation, behavior, and bodily functions. Its causes remain poorly understood, with environmental and genetic risk factors involved. Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are associated with degeneration of neurons and loss of synaptic connections. No known treatment can stop or reverse progression.

Disease type

Neurodegenerative disease

Common early symptom

Difficulty remembering recent events

Definitive diagnosis

Examination of brain tissue