Introduction

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease that results in loss of memory and mental function. It progresses in stages, and people with Alzheimer's experience gradual memory loss as well as loss of judgment, difficulty concentrating, loss of language skills, personality changes, and a decline in the ability to learn new tasks. In advanced stages, people with Alzheimer's can lose all memory and mental abilities.

Alzheimer's in the most common kind of dementia. About 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's and this number is expected to increase as the population grows older. How it progresses is different for each person. If Alzheimer's develops rapidly, it is likely to continue to progress rapidly. If it has been slow to progress, it will likely continue on a slow course.

The effects of Alzheimer's come because the disease kills brain cells. In a healthy brain, billions of neurons generate chemical and electrical signals that are relayed from neuron to neuron and help a person think, remember, and feel. Neurotransmitters -- brain chemicals -- help these signals move from cell to cell. In people with Alzheimer's, neurons in certain places start to die, causing lower levels of neurotransmitters to be produced. That causes the brain to have problems with its signals.

There is no cure for Alzheimer's, but there are some medications that can help slow the progression of the disease in some people. Some herbs and supplements, and lifestyle adjustments, may help reduce the risk or improve quality of life.

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