Alzheimer disease is an incurable, progressive disorder of cognitive and behavioral impairment. The key feature of the disease is gradual impairment of memory.

Symptoms

• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Compromised judgements
• Mood and personality changes
• Language difficulty
• Restlessness, agitation, anxiety
• Hallucinations
• Unable to recognize family and loved ones

Causes

The cause of alzheimer’s disease is unknown. Now, it is believed that genetic factors play role in its causation.

Diagnosis

Alzheimer is diagnosed clinically but following tests can be done to exclude other causes of memory impairment:

• Imaging of head (CT/MRI)
• Lumbar puncture
• Blood tests

Risk Factors

• Advancing age
• Family history
• Obesity
• Insulin resistance
• Dyslipidemia
• Hypertension
• Brain injury
• Down syndrome

Treatment

Medical treatment of AD includes cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) and NMDA receptor antagonist, memantine. Above mentioned drugs delay the progress of disease.