Getting a diagnosis involves a medical exam and possibly cognitive tests, a neurological exam and/or brain imaging. Contact your local Alzheimer's Association for a referral. Write down symptoms of memory loss or other cognitive difficulties to share with your health care professional.

The causes of Alzheimer's disease are not yet fully understood, but probably include a combination of: Age-related changes in the brain, like shrinking, inflammation, blood vessel damage, and breakdown of energy within cells, which may harm neurons and affect other brain cells.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Current estimates are that about 5.8 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, including 5.6 million aged 65 and older and about 200,000 under age 65 with younger-onset Alzheimer's.

More than 6 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer's. An estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's in 2023. Seventy-three percent are age 75 or older. About 1 in 9 people age 65 and older (10.7%) has Alzheimer's.

A standard medical workup for Alzheimer's disease often includes structural imaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT).

7 Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

• Stage 1: Normal Outward Behavior.
• Stage 2: Very Mild Changes.
• Stage 3: Mild Decline.
• Stage 4: Moderate Decline.
• Stage 5: Moderately Severe Decline.
• Stage 6: Severe Decline.
• Stage 7: Very Severe Decline.

Alzheimer disease most commonly affects older adults, but it can also affect people in their 30s or 40s. When Alzheimer disease occurs in someone under age 65, it is known as early-onset (or younger-onset) Alzheimer disease. A very small number of people with Alzheimer disease have the early-onset form.

Memory problems are typically one of the first signs of the disease. Decline in non-memory aspects of cognition, such as finding the right word, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, and impaired reasoning or judgment, may also signal the early stages of Alzheimer's.

Types of Alzheimer's: Early-Onset, Late-Onset, and Familial.

Age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer's, as it is for most types of dementia. This means that a person is more likely to get Alzheimer's as they get older. Above the age of 65, a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's doubles about every five years.

Researchers found the highest prevalence of Alzheimer's in the east and southeastern regions of the U.S. The data were simultaneously published in Alzheimer's & Dementia®: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. Kumar B. Rajan, Ph.

People with dementia can live meaningful and productive lives for many years after an early diagnosis. An early diagnosis helps both the person and caregivers learn about dementia, set realistic expectations and plan for their future together. Download our information sheet on the Benefits of an early diagnosis.