Alzheimer's Disease: Understanding the Most Common Form of Dementia
By Anshika
An in-depth look at Alzheimer's disease — from early warning signs and diagnosis to current treatments and caregiving strategies.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of all dementia cases. It affects an estimated 55 million people worldwide, a number expected to nearly triple by 2050.
What Happens in the Brain
Alzheimer's is characterized by the accumulation of two abnormal protein structures: beta-amyloid plaques (clumps of protein fragments that accumulate between nerve cells) and tau tangles (twisted fibers of a protein that build up inside cells). These changes disrupt communication between neurons and eventually cause cell death.
Early Warning Signs
Memory loss that disrupts daily life, challenges in planning or solving problems, difficulty completing familiar tasks, confusion with time or place, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, new problems with words in speaking or writing, misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps, decreased or poor judgment, withdrawal from work or social activities, changes in mood and personality.
Current Treatments
While there is no cure for Alzheimer's, treatments can temporarily slow symptom progression. Cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) and NMDA receptor antagonists (memantine) are the mainstays of treatment. Recently approved anti-amyloid therapies like lecanemab and donanemab have shown modest slowing of cognitive decline in early-stage disease.
Caregiving for Alzheimer's
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's is one of the most challenging roles a person can take on. Effective strategies include establishing consistent routines, creating a safe environment, using clear and simple communication, validating feelings rather than correcting inaccuracies, and taking regular respite breaks to prevent caregiver burnout.