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Alzheimer's disease is a brain disease, named after DrAlois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Since then, scientists have been able to discover many important facts about this disease..

An advanced and deadly brain disease

There are about 26 million people around the world who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. The disease destroys brains cells, causing memory loss, behavioral and mental problems. This in turn severely affects the lives of people who suffer from it, as it interferes with their normal functioning, such as practicing their usual hobbies and maintaining their social lives. These effects gradually become more pronounced as time passes. Alzheimer's is now classified as the 4th leading cause of death in developed counties, according to the World Health Organization.

A disease which currently has no treatment

There are currently some pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatments available for Alzheimer's disease, which can help alleviate symptoms, though not cure the disease. These, along with patient support services, can help to make life better for the millions who suffer from the disease. There is also a huge effort underway globally, to find better ways to treat Alzheimer's, and limit its development.

One of the most common forms of dementia

Dementia is a general term for loss of memory and mental ability. Alzheimer's disease causes 60-70% of known dementia cases.

Alzheimer's Disease and the Brain

The healthy brain contains 100 billion neurons. Each neuron communicates with other neurons to form neurotic networks with complex functions. Our brains change as we grow older, hence most of us notice a slowdown in thought and communicative processes and sometimes also problems in remembering particular things. However, clear weaknesses of memory and other mental abilities are not a part of normal aging, but are instead, early signs of deteriorating brain function. In the brains of Alzheimer's patients, there are increasing numbers of deteriorating and dead neurons.