Alzheimer’s Disease Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
zheimer's is the most common cause of dementia. It is a neurological disorder that usually begins with mild memory loss. Over time, symptoms progress and problems can include extreme memory loss, an inability to recognize friends and family, trouble communicating, and irrational actions. Alzheimer's is ultimately fatal.
Why does the disease cause cognitive problems?
Although scientists have not fully unlocked all the mysteries of Alzheimer's, they know that the brains of Alzheimer's patients develop abnormal amounts of a plaque called amyloid and tangled bundles of fibers. As the plaque and the bundles increase, healthy nerve cells don't work as well and lose their ability to communicate with each other. Eventually, nerve cells die.
What causes Alzheimer's?
While causes are not fully understood, aging is the most important risk factor. However, dementia is not a normal part of aging. Scientists suspect that for most people who get the disease, more than one factor is involved, including genetics, lifestyle and environment. Risk factors besides age and genetics include head injury, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, lack of exercise and lack of social engagement.
How many Americans suffer from Alzheimer's?
More than 5 million people in the U.S. have the disease. That number is expected to increase greatly in coming years, particularly as Baby Boomers begin turning 65 on January 1, 2011. If no new medicines are discovered that prevent, delay onset or cure Alzheimer's, an estimated 13.5 million Americans will be living with Alzheimer's disease by 2050.
Is there any way to reduce the risks of getting Alzheimer's?
While there are currently five drugs that help the symptoms of some patients, there is no treatment to prevent the disease. Steps that may reduce risk include: lowering blood pressure and high cholesterol, eating healthy, staying physically and mentally active, controlling diabetes.
What care do Alzheimer's patients need?
In the later stages of the disease Alzheimer's patients require constant care. This reality creates a great burden for family and friends. In fact, estimates are that today, 11 million Americans each year provide 12.5 billion hours of uncompensated care to family and friends with Alzheimer's.
What about the burden on the health care system?
As of today, the cost of caring for Alzheimer's patients in the U.S. is about $172 billion. If no new medicines are found, the cost by 2050 is expected to total $1.08 trillion a year-or nearly 25 times the current budget for the Department of Homeland Security.
What is being done to fight the disease?
Basic research has improved our understanding of the disease. One very important development has been a collaborative project to identify biomarkers in the brain. The project, known as the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, involved the shared work of biopharmaceutical companies, university researchers, nonprofit groups, the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration.
As basic research continues, America's biopharmaceutical research companies are investing billions in researching and developing new drugs. Currently, those companies have 98 new drugs either in clinical trials or awaiting FDA review.
What can the average person do?
Raise awareness of the growing threat Alzheimer's poses to patients, their families and the U.S. economy. Support for innovative companies like ours is critical. Volunteers for Alzheimer's clinical studies-including people with and without the disease-are important to advancing our understanding of how to treat the disease.