The Alzheimer disease is a degenerative illness which affects certain areas of the brain that control memory, intelligence, and capacity of judgment, language and behavior. This disease represents the most common type of mental decline or dementia for elders.



The Alzheimer disease is a much serious affection than temporary memory loss which is characteristic to most elders. This disease is also associated with behavior disorders, personality disorders, loss of the ability to think correctly and loss of the capacity to perform daily tasks.



Family and friends notice in the beginning these changes, but these changes can be noticed by the patient in cause. The cause of Alzheimer disease remains unknown, but there could be several factors which could lead to this disease. Some of the deteriorations which occur in some areas of the brain are connected to the loss of chemical messengers of the neurons. The cause of these modifications is unknown, but scientists are still researching in order to determine these causes. Even though most of the patients do not have this disease in their family medical background, the risk of developing the Alzheimer disease is increased at patients who have a relative suffering of this disease.

Some studies suggested the fact that zinc and aluminum might have a role in starting this disease, but these theories have not been supported by proof. Memory loss is most of the times one of the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Many elders are worried when they have short term memory loss. Some of episodes occur at people older than 60- 70 years old, but only a small part of them can develop the Alzheimer disease. If you notice you or someone close having short memory loss episode you should consult a specialist doctor.

Normal short term memory loss episodes include: forgetting a certain experience, forgetting where you parked your car, forgetting events from your past, the name of a person which you will recall later or forgetting where you left an object, like your car keys. Some of the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are: forgetting you ever had an experience, forgetting how to read the clock or drive your car, forgetting about current experiences or the fact that you left the gas on or even forgetting you know a person.

There is little evidence of the fact that maintaining a special intellectual activity might diminish the risk of developing the Alzheimer disease. Some activities like reading the newspaper, books, magazines, playing society games, solving puzzles, visits to the museum or even listening to the radio can help in preventing the development of Alzheimer disease.



The more scientists are uncovering the causes of Alzheimer’s disease, the more they will be able to find a cure as well as a way to prevent it. The medication used for preventing some disease will be available for preventing the Alzheimer’s disease or for people who have an increased risk of developing this disease. The scientists are trying now to develop a vaccine for Alzheimer.