What is Alzheimer’s? Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.
Types of Alzheimer’s: Nearly everyone with Alzheimer’s will experience the same symptoms, Memory loss, Confusion, Trouble with once-familiar tasks, and making decisions. However, there are still two main types of Alzheimer’s early-onset and Late-onset. Early-onset Is the type of Alzheimer’s that is determined in people younger than the age of 65. Often, they are in their 40s or 50s. Though it is rare, only 5% of all people with Alzheimer’s have Early-onset. Late-onset Alzheimer’s is the most common form of Alzheimer’s, which happens to people usually 65 or older. So far, researchers have not found a specific gene that causes late-onset. However, nobody knows why some people have it and others don’t, but scientists say it is most common in their genes.
Diagnosis: Doctors cannot diagnose Alzheimer’s disease until after death when they can closely examine the brain under a microscope. However, they can use tests to rule out other conditions that might cause the same symptoms.