What is Alzheimer’s?

Dementia is the name for a set of symptoms that includes memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia, is a progressive, physical disease that affects the brain.

Dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to hold a conversation and respond to their environment.

The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that are interconnected. In Alzheimer’s, connections between these cells are lost. Eventually nerve cells die and brain tissue is lost.

The brain also contains important chemicals that help send signals between cells.

People with Alzheimer’s have less ‘chemical messengers’ in their brain, so the signals are not passed on properly.

Two abnormal structures called plaques and tangles are responsible for damaging and killing nerve cells:

Plaques are deposits of a protein fragment that build up in the spaces between nerve cells.
Tangles are twisted fibres of another protein that build up inside cells.

The destruction of nerve cells causes memory failure, personality changes, problems carrying out daily activities and other symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Did you know?

On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives four to eight years after diagnosis, but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors.