Alzheimer’s Disease and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is named after Dr.Alois Alzheimer who in 1906 described changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of what was thought to be an unusual mental illness. These changes are now recognized as the characteristic abnormal brain changes of Alzheimer’s Disease.Understanding Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease develops slowly and causes changes in the brain long before there are obvious changes in a person’s memory, thinking, use of words or behavior. Stages and changes the person will go through are outlined below.
* Common Changes in Mild AD
* Common Changes in Moderate AD
* Common Changes in Severe AD
I. No impairment of normal function: No signs of memory loss are visible to a medical professional nor does the patient experience any AD related symptoms.
II. Very mild cognitive decline: People may experience some loss of memory such as forgetting familiar words, names, or location of their wristwatch, eyeglasses or any such objects of daily use. Family, friends or colleagues may observe these signs.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that leads to personality changes, memory loss, intellectual slowing and difficulty with regular activities. Although each person with Alzheimer’s is different, most individuals affected by the disease progress through a series of stages. Each stage is characterized by more serious symptoms. The following seven stages were developed by researchers and physicians to describe how your or your loved one’s functioning will change over time. Your doctor might consolidate the seven stages into early/middle/late or mild/moderate/severe, so these classifications are provided as well.
Changes in Your Brain
As people age, the brain and nervous system go through natural changes. Find out more about the aging of your brain, and you susceptibility to Alzheimer’s.
Check a Symptom
Think you have Alzheimer’s, or dementia? Use our symptom checker to find out if you should see a doctor.
Early Diagnosis and Intervention
Improve your understanding—and the understanding of those around you—about the changes that are taking place.
Increase your knowledge of AD.
Access community resources that help AD patients and caregivers.
