Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder, in which the brain gradually degenerates. It most frequently occurs in people aged above 65 years.¹

Over the course of the disease, areas of the brain degenerate, resulting in a gradual loss of memory, problems with reasoning or judgement, disorientation, difficulty in learning, loss of speech and a decline in the ability to perform routine tasks. These changes increasingly impact upon the person’s daily life, reducing their independence, until ultimately, they may become entirely dependent on others.²

Alzheimer’s disease also has an enormous impact on those who care for an affected individual. Often caregivers are elderly or close relatives and as the disease progresses the pressure on the carer increases. The changes in behavioural symptoms in particular can cause a huge emotional and physical burden.³

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease emerge gradually, over a period of years, and vary from person to person.¹ The first symptoms to appear are usually forgetfulness and mild confusion. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can be broadly categorised into cognitive, functional and behavioural/psychological changes.^2,3

• Cognitive changes – impaired short-term memory (such as impaired knowledge of recent events, losing items around the house, poor organisation), difficulty in making decisions, reduced understanding of the concept of time and space, reduced ability to learn and problems recognising friends and family.²

• Functional changes – reduced ability to perform daily activities (such as eating, getting dressed, maintaining personal hygiene) as well as problems with movement and difficulty performing tasks. Ultimately, those with Alzheimer’s disease will usually become completely dependent on caregivers.²

• Behavioural/psychiatric changes – patients may also develop behavioural disturbances and personality changes which increase the burden of care. It includes withdrawal from social activities, apathy/indifference, depressed mood, anxiety, and agitation. Behavioural changes are particularly difficult for family and carers to cope with.^2,3
   

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure

4. Confusion with time or place

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

6. New problems with words when speaking or writing

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

8. Decreased or poor judgement

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities

10. Changes in mood and personality

11. Increased anxiety, agitation and sleep disturbances

Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia.⁵ With the shift towards an increasingly elderly population, there are nearly 10 million new cases every year.⁵ The WHO predicts that the prevalence of dementia is set to triple by the year 2050, with 152 million people estimated to have the condition.⁴

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-70% of dementia cases.⁵ The total global societal cost of dementia was estimated to be USD 818 billion in 2015, rising to USD 2 trillion by 2030.⁴

Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed using patient and caregiver interviews; sometimes blood tests and brain imaging techniques are also performed. There are numerous assessment scales that can be used to help identify the symptoms, and severity, of the disease.⁷

Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments that can help relieve some of the symptoms are available. Although current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms which could help improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.¹

Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.