Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. It is caused by changes in the brain and gets worse over time. The main risk factor is increasing age, and family history and genetics also play a role. Symptoms include memory loss, problems with thinking and language, and behavioral changes. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer's, and available treatments can only temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms. The number of people with Alzheimer's is expected to rapidly increase worldwide in coming decades as the population ages.

1. ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

2. General Description Alzheimer’s disease is a mental deterioration known as dementia that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks

3. chromosome error? Alzheimer’s is found on the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene, which is found on chromosome 19. However, in early-onset Alzheimer’s, there are three genes that are different from APOE which have an effect on the early onset of the disease which are found on chromosomes 21, 14, and 1.

4. Symptoms memory loss that disrupts daily life difficulty completing familiar tasks confusion with time and place misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps changes in mood or personality withdrawal from social activities

5. Prognosis There is no cure for Alzheimer’s. The average life expectancy for someone with Alzheimer's is 8 to 10 years after the onset symptoms. It takes patience to take care of someone with Alzheimer’s, because they forget basic tasks and people.

6. Incidence This disease affects approximately 27 million people worldwide. In the United States alone, 5 million people are living with Alzheimer's, a number that the Alzheimer's Association says will rise to over 13 million within the next 50 years.

7. There is no conclusive evidence to suggest that any particular group of people is more or less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease .

8. http://www.tenderrosehomecare.com/dementia-care-blog-san-francisco/bid/40416/Alzheimer-s-Disease-Threatens-to-Overwhelm-U-S-Healthcare-System

9. Treatments The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of medications — cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine — to treat the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

10. The Alzheimer's gene is autosomal dominant.

11. Alzheimer Europe. (2010). Alzheimer's Disease . Retrieved from http://www.alzheimer-europe.org/Dementia/Alzheimer-s-disease/Who-is-affected-by-Alzheimer-s-disease http://www.alz.org/index.as Everyday Health. (2011). Alzheimer's disease basics. Retrieved from http://www.everydayhealth.com/senior-health/alzheimers/index.aspx National Institution on Aging. (February 19, 2010) Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/adfact.htm Mayo Clinic. (November 5, 2010). Alzheimer's Disease . Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers-disease/DS00161