Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes degeneration of brain cells. It affects around 4 million people in the US and is predicted to affect over 1 in 85 people globally by 2050. Alzheimer's causes memory loss, confusion, and difficulty performing daily tasks. While age is the greatest risk factor, family history and genetics may also play a role. Currently, there is no cure and treatment aims to slow the progression of symptoms. Future research focuses on earlier diagnosis and discovering preventative measures to reduce risk.