Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Learn about the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and factors that can put someone at risk of developing it. We also look at treatments and support currently available for the condition.
- You are here: Alzheimer's disease
- Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
- Risk factors: Who gets Alzheimer's disease?
- Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease
- Treatment and support of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
What is Alzheimer's disease?
Dementia is the name for a set of symptoms that includes memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Dementia develops when the brain is damaged by diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a physical disease that affects the brain. It is named after Alois Alzheimer, the doctor who first described it.
Press play to watch a four-minute video about Alzheimer's disease:
Causes of Alzheimer's disease
The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that connect to each other. In Alzheimer’s disease, connections between these cells are lost. This is because proteins build up and form abnormal structures called ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’. Eventually nerve cells die and brain tissue is lost.
The brain also contains important chemicals that help to send signals between cells. People with Alzheimer’s have less of some of these ‘chemical messengers’ in their brain, so the signals are not passed on as well. There are some drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease that can help boost the levels of some chemical messengers in the brain. This can help with some of the symptoms.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. This means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, more symptoms develop, and they also get worse.
More than 520,000 people in the UK have dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease and this figure is set to rise.
Dementia and the brain
Get more information on how dementia affects the brain.
Accessible versions of this information
Watch a signed version of our information about Alzheimer's disease or listen to it in an audio version.
Press play to listen:
Press play to watch:
Need help finding dementia information?
Find the information and support you're looking for with our free online tool.