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Basic Alzheimer's Disease Information and Related Links (The following information was taken from the Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet from the Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center.) Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people. It affects the temporal cortex of the brain, primarily the hippocampus, regions that control thought, memory, and language. Although AD is the subject of an extensive and intensive research effort, currently the causes of AD remain unknown, and there is no cure. It is estimated that up to 4 million Americans suffer from AD. The National Institute of Aging estimates that the current cost of the care for AD patients is $100 BILLION a year, and this will increase with an aging population. The disease usually begins after age 60, and risk goes up with age. About 10 percent of men and women ages 65 to 74 have AD, and nearly half of those age 85 and older may have the disease. It is important to note, however, that AD is not a normal part of aging. AD is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. He found abnormal clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called neurofibrillary tangles). These plaques and tangles in the brain are now recognized as definitive hallmarks of AD. AD is a reversal of the developmental process and includes the following:
The following graphs illustrate the prevalence of AD in the U.S. 1995 – 2050:
The following graphs illustrate the prevalence of AD and Dementia by Gender:
Links to other AD websites: 
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