Alzheimer dementia

Alzheimer disease is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder that causes a decline in memory and other cognitive abilities. It is the most common form of dementia, a general term for conditions involving chronic deterioration of intellectual capacity due to the loss of nerve cells and brain tissue.123

Symptoms often begin with memory loss or subtle impairments in judgment, language, or perception. As the disease progresses, memory loss and cognitive decline become more severe, impacting daily functioning and potentially leading to a loss of basic social and survival skills. While Alzheimer's is most common in older adults, it can affect younger individuals as well. The disease is characterized by the destruction of nerve cells and neural connections in the brain, leading to a significant loss of brain mass.21