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Alzheimer disease is a degenerative disorder of the brain! It involves an area of the brain called the cerebral cortex or gray matter! This uncurable disease causes the death and withering of nerve cells in this part of the brain! The disease starts when a person has small problems performing complex tasks and remembering things but eventually progresses to severe dementia (a state in which you are unable to perform simple tasks or even remember faces of family and friends) over a period of 5-10 years!
In its end stages, you become totally disabled, resulting in distress for you, your family, and your friends! Financial costs and emotional losses can be overwhelming!
Alzheimer disease rarely occurs in people younger than 50 years but becomes very common in later life! It is the most common cause of dementia in older people! Because it is so common and devastating, it is perhaps the most important of all degenerative diseases!
At this time, no cure has been found, although some treatments may slow its progression for a short period!
In older people, Alzheimer disease takes a devastating toll on memory loss! Some 4 million Americans are now affected! With our aging population, by 2050, there may be over 14 million people with Alzheimer disease!
Date Written: November 04, 2003
Author: Jon Matza
Average Vote: 4.6667