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Alzheimer's Disease
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What Is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's is a brain disease that affects a person's ability to remember, reason, and communicate. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for ongoing problems with memory and other mental functions. Dementia used to be known as "senility" and was thought to be a normal sign of getting older. But now we know that Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia are not a normal part of aging.

How Is It Diagnosed?
Alzheimer's is suspected when symptoms of dementia are present. Other diseases that cause the same symptoms must then be ruled out. These include thyroid problems, stroke, and depression. The evaluation for Alzheimer's usually includes a memory test, blood tests, and a brain scan. A neurologist (a doctor specializing in the brain) may be involved. 3a1769


 
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