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Alzheimer'sAlzheimer's disease is a type of dementia—an umbrella term that refers to a collection of symptoms, including memory loss, cognitive impairment, and sudden behavior changes.
More than 55 million people worldwide have dementia; Alzheimer's disease makes up nearly 70% of all cases. Old age is the greatest risk factor in developing Alzheimer's, though genetic components can elevate the risk of developing the disease.
The first case of Alzheimer's disease dates back to the turn of the 20th century when Dr. Alois Alzheimer treated 51-year-old Auguste Deter, who was struggling with sudden memory issues and aggressive, irrational behavior. After Deter's death, Alzheimer examined her brain and found it had a strange collection of molecular pileups. Scientists now know these "pileups" are created by two distinct molecular formations: plaques and tangles, but they're still investigating their potential roles in disease progression.Explore Alzheimer's
What we've found
Researchers are exploring neural links between Alzheimer's and autismRecent DNA sequencing and molecular biology studies suggest that similarities in genes, neural circuitry and patterns of disease warrant further exploration to potentially better understand both conditions and how to treat them. (Some users may encounter a paywall.) The Washington PostThere are two FDA-approved blood tests that may detect early Alzheimer's diseaseYet the tests are only recommended for those who have symptoms of dementia, and are not definitive on their own. False positives are a concern with these new tests, which detect biomarkers that may indicate the presence of brain proteins linked to the disease. This podcast explores the state of research on the disease and concerns about regulators taking jobs at pharmaceutical and biotech companies, which may influence their approach to approvals. It also dives into an investigation about the data underpinning one experimental Alzheimer's drug. FreakonomicsAlzheimer's brain changes may begin years before symptoms appear The debilitating disorder degrades cognitive abilities. Its symptoms may start with subtle memory issues, but by the time patients notice any changes, neural changes may already be progressing, such as the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques between neurons and tau protein tangles within them. TED-EdHow Alzheimer's disease affected one family as symptoms progressedNews program 60 Minutes interviewed a couple navigating aging and Alzheimer's over a 10-year period to illustrate the effects of the disease on their lives. 60 MinutesSee the challenges of navigating Alzheimer's caregivingThis 2025 PBS documentary provides a window into the experiences of three families navigating the struggles and beauty of caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer's. PBSGenetic blood test offers an estimated clock on when Alzheimer's symptoms may appearThe 2026 research finding from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis—if validated in broader populations—suggests that an already available blood test could estimate when Alzheimer's symptoms may begin within a margin of several years. The test detects a protein called p-tau217 found in blood plasma and the researchers incorporated the findings from that blood test into a statistical model to come up with the symptom timeline predictions. Medical News TodayListen to how one gene affects Alzheimer's riskMultiple genes are associated with Alzheimer's risk, but one well-known disease-associated gene is the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene, which is typically involved in making a protein that helps carry cholesterol and other fats in the bloodstream. Specific variants of this gene are associated with elevated disease risk, though even if someone has two copies of the disease, that doesn't mean they will definitely develop Alzheimer's. Science FridayWhy genetic testing for Alzheimer's risk may not be right for youMedical experts warn that completing Alzheimer's testing for late-onset versions of the disease can be fraught, in part because there's a shortage of genetic counselors to help navigate the findings and their potential implications, including for one's finances. Learning you have one or two copies of the APOE4 gene variant, which elevates Alzheimer's risk, can be panic-inducing, but an elevated risk for the disease is not the same as saying it definitely will develop. ReutersSmell is a robust memory cue for individuals with Alzheimer's diseaseOdor is more effective than both visual and verbal cues for triggering autobiographical recall in Alzheimer's disease, according to 2021 research. Psychology TodayGLP-1 drugs are under investigation for treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and drug addictionResearchers are investigating GLP-1 applications for a variety of chronic conditions. One area of interest stems from how study participants using GLP-1 for diabetes and obesity reported describing less longing for wine and cigarettes while taking the medication—intriguing researchers about using the drugs for addiction applications. The drug, they theorize, could bind to receptors that mediate desire. (Some users may experience a paywall.) ScienceScientists are reevaluating the causes of Alzheimer's beyond the amyloid hypothesisThe cause of Alzheimer's disease has been debated for decades. The amyloid cascade hypothesis—where plaques build up in the brain, triggering neurodegeneration—has long been the leading theory. But after a number of failed drug trials, researchers are beginning to reevaluate various culprits.
[Untreated hearing loss is linked with dementia risk](https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(20)30367-6/fulltext)
Hearing loss does not cause dementia, but it does increase the risk of developing dementia and research suggests that people who wear hearing aids for age-related hearing loss also maintain better brain function than those who don't. Quanta MagazineDoes our fear of Alzheimer's create stigma around its treatment?Surveys suggest our fear of Alzheimer's as a disease outranks that of heart disease and cancer. This piece argues our fear of aging and the slipping away of our mental capacities make it more difficult to treat Alzheimer's compassionately. Literary Hub1440: Everything you need to know about Alzheimer'sWhat is Alzheimer's, and is it different from dementia? In short, yes—Alzheimer's is a specific brain disease that falls under the umbrella of dementia. However it is the most prevalent form of the condition, accounting for 60 to 80% of reported dementia cases. 1440Alzheimer's is most prevalent in the South and the EastRisk factors for Alzheimer's can include age, race, education, and income levels, exposure to pollutants, and much more. As of 2023, these factors are seen in higher incidence rates for those above 65, in the southern and southeastern parts of the US. TIMEAlzheimer's as a family disease: When children become "parents"Kitty Eisele's 81-year-old dad went missing while on a snowy, four-hour drive from Minneapolis to Iowa City. It was the first emergency that spelled out the danger of her dad's dementia diagnosis—and captures how Alzheimer’s impacts entire families, with the influx of responsibility that comes with caregiving. Texas Public RadioAn Alzheimer's patient discusses her condition with childrenAlzheimer's is a deadly disease that profoundly changes a person's abilities and personality, which makes it difficult to explain to kids. Responding to potentially uncomfortable questions with honesty (and relatable imagery) about the costs and nature of the disease goes a long way in fostering understanding. CutHow Alzheimer's caregivers get pulled into their loved one's realityCaregivers, most often children and spouses, do not just witness a family member's cognitive decline—they also often become drawn into it, navigating a world in which the typical rules of time, order, or logical continuity may not apply. The GuardianPoor sleep increases the risk of developing Alzheimer'sBrain imaging studies reveal poor sleep leads to production of amyloid beta proteins—molecules linked to Alzheimer’s—which are cleaned from the brain during high-quality sleep. These findings suggest conditions like sleep apnea and insomnia increase the risk of developing the disease. TED ConferencesA first-person account of receiving an Alzheimer's diagnosisHaving Alzheimer's is a bit like having a part of your brain sliced away each day, according to author Greg O'Brien. This 34-minute podcast episode introduces O'Brien and his co-host, author David Shenk, as the two embark on a multi-season conversation on Alzheimer's disease and O'Brien's diagnosis. The ForgettingA top Alzheimer's researcher was accused of faking resultsIn 2021, an investigation revealed photo manipulation in images from a seminal 2006 paper by researcher Sylvain Lesné on the role of amyloid plaques in progressive Alzheimer's disease. The revelation rocked the field, leaving many wondering whether they had tried to build on fabricated results. (Some users may experience a paywall.) ScienceVisualize the difference between a healthy brain and one with Alzheimer'sThe brain has three main parts—the cerebrum, brain stem, and cerebellum—each combining to control the entirety of the body's operations. Alzheimer's progressively deteriorates the circuitry in these structures, resulting in what we see as the symptoms of the disease. Alzheimer's AssociationRead the original 1907 paper on the first known Alzheimer's patientAlzheimer's disease was first identified by Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1901, following a postmortem brain examination of a patient experiencing memory loss and other symptoms. Alzheimer's original paper was largely lost until 1995, when an English translation was published in a medical journal. Wiley Online LibraryEarly-onset Alzheimer's can appear as early as age 30Drugs recently approved to slow the progression of Alzheimer's appear to work best when administered as early as possible. Early stages are marked by a low buildup of tau, a protein experts believe clumps into misfolded, neuron-disrupting tangles once clusters of another protein—amyloid beta—have already started causing damage. TIMEAlzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia and risks rise after age 65Read this primer about Alzheimer's disease and learn what factors increase the risk of this form of dementia, including genetics, being a woman, and health conditions, including high blood pressure. Harvard UniversityThe first identification of Alzheimer's was made in 1906The first case of Alzheimer's disease dates to the early 20th century when Dr. Alois Alzheimer had 51-year-old Auguste Deter as a patient. Deter struggled with sudden memory issues and aggressive, irrational behavior. After Deter's death, Alzheimer examined her brain and found strange collections of molecular pileups. BBC News"Plaques" and "tangles" are top potential causes of Alzheimer's—but questions remainThe exact causes of Alzheimer's—and how to treat it—continue to be the subject of intense research. Two leading factors are amyloid beta plaques and tau protein tangles, which effectively pile up in the brain and interfere with neurons and cause cell death, which manifests as memory loss and other symptoms. NatureMore than 200 drug trials for Alzheimer's have failed or been abandoned since 2010The complexity of Alzheimer's disease, coupled with decades of underfunded research efforts, has left patients with little in the way of effective treatments. In recent years, scientists have synthesized several drugs that studies show can slow the progression of Alzheimer's—though the disease itself remains incurable. National Library of MedicineFive to ten percent of Alzheimer's cases are early-onset Early-onset Alzheimer’s typically emerges around 40 to 50 years of age, with devastating effects. This video follows Brian, diagnosed with the disease at age 54, as he travels the country as an advocate for research and discusses the progressive mental fog of Alzheimer’s. WebMDAlzheimer's can cause brain shrinkage of between 10% and 30%While the exact cause of Alzheimer's is debated, the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles is instantly recognizable in post-mortem examinations. The atrophy of brain cells caused by this molecular pileup leads to noticeable physical changes, including significant shrinkage in affected brain regions. National Institute on AgingResistance training is linked to better memory and cognitive function in older adultsRandomized control trials looking at structural neuroimaging and exercise suggest that resistance training in older adults induces structural brain changes that could reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease or mitigate its progression. The benefits have been documented when performed at least twice per week for at least six months. National Library of MedicineWhy vascular dementia developsThis type of dementia, the second most common form after Alzheimer's, develops due to microscopic bleeds and blood vessel blockages in the brain. The condition isn't curable but medications to help with blood clotting and high blood pressure are part of a suite of interventions designed to minimize damage to the brain. Johns Hopkins MedicineLearn the differences between mild cognitive impairment and age-associated memory lossMild cognitive impairment is a condition in which people experience more thinking and memory problems than expected for their age. It's often associated with depression and anxiety. Daily routines, writing things down, and healthy lifestyle choices can help cope with the condition, but there's no cure. The condition elevates the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's. National Institute on AgingDementia describes progressive memory issues that impact daily activitiesAlthough Alzheimer's disease is sometimes thought of synonymously with dementia, there are multiple types of dementia, which manifest in memory loss and other symptoms that make it challenging to perform daily tasks. These types include Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Parkinson's disease is not a form of dementia, but this movement disorder can sometimes develop into issues with memory and a formal diagnosis of dementia. Alzheimer's Research UKRoughly 15 of every 1,000 people in the US have smell disordersAnosmia is a lack of a sense of smell. It can be present at birth, related to diseases including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and COVID-19, or have unknown causes. Journal of the American Medical AssociationA gallery of medical illustrations from NIHThe National Institutes of Health provides educational materials for broad use. The institute hosts a Flickr account with many different image galleries, including this one (with over 70 images to date) that illustrate and annotate curious phenomena, from the life cycles of a malaria parasite to the comparison of male and female bladders. Explore the gallery here. National Institutes of HealthA super-sniffer smelled her husband's Parkinson's disease years ahead of symptomsShe discovered she could smell diseases, including Parkinson's, tuberculosis, Alzheimer's, cancer, and diabetes. Working with an analytic chemist, she's learned she can smell subtle changes in odor—ones that smell consistent across individuals with the same disorder—even before symptoms manifest. Invisibilia Hear about 20 years of change for CESLongtime CES spokesperson Allie Fried discusses how the show has grown in scale, global reach, and ambition. The podcast also highlights recent tech innovations showcased at the show, including an AI baby panda that can sense emotions and robotic companions for Alzheimer’s patients. CESThe reinvention of He Jiankui, the scientist who gene-edited babiesDr. He Jiankui sparked global outrage in 2018 for creating the world’s first genetically edited babies. After a three-year jail stint, he has rebranded himself as a controversial internet figure and biotech provocateur. After serving a prison sentence in China, he has carved out a social media persona that appeals to Silicon Valley culture. RebootLong-term memory formation may not need short-term memoryNew research shows that long-term memories can still develop even when short-term memory formation is blocked, suggesting the brain uses separate pathways for short- and long-term memory. This discovery could help scientists open new avenues for treating memory loss in diseases like Alzheimer’s. MPFNeuroMemory disorders disrupt the brain's ability to make, store, or recall memoriesThese disorders stem from reversible issues like vitamin deficiencies or irreversible causes such as stroke or dementia. Only one type of dementia—familial Alzheimer’s disease—is directly inherited and accounts for about 20% of Alzheimer’s cases. HealthlineFace and neck massages improve the removal of brain cell waste products in miceA study identified that massaging mice and monkeys' faces and necks enhanced the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Because CSF has been shown to flush out proteins linked to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, the research hints at non-invasive treatments to reduce the severity of these diseases. New ScientistEngrams are the specific pattern of brain cells that make up a memoryMemory isn’t stored in your brain in a neat little package but is instead spread across a pattern of cells in different regions. Understanding this process could lead to better treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s or PTSD. SciShow PsychResearch suggests Ozempic has benefits beyond weight lossSemaglutide, the key ingredient in Ozempic, is proving to be more than just a diabetes and weight loss drug. Research suggests it may also help prevent strokes, improve heart health, and slow Alzheimer’s. 1440 DailyWhat is the blood brain barrier?Every blood vessel is lined with endothelial cells that act as filters between blood and the rest of the body. In the brain, these cells are tightly packed together to keep a close watch on what substances can access the vital organ. This protective measure poses an obstacle to drugmakers looking to deliver drugs to the well-defended brain for conditions like Alzheimer's. Watch a quick overview here. STATIs conventional wisdom about amyloid plaques wrong?Neurobiologist Karl Herrup makes the case for reevaluating current research paradigms and embracing a more comprehensive understanding of Alzheimer's disease. He highlights years of failed clinical trials of drugs reducing amyloid plaques in treating Alzheimer's, the establishment of that theory based on a single patient, and more. The University of ChicagoHow the body produces its own opioidsOpioids act on the body's own opioid receptor system. The endogenous opioid system comprises four molecule receptor types found throughout the body. When activated, these receptor types trigger the release of dopamine and suppression of noradrenaline, neurotransmitters, respectively, associated with reward and alertness. This opioid system helps regulate emotions, and its disruption is linked to neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression, PTSD, and Alzheimer's disease. Annual Review of NeuroscienceHow Alzheimer’s disease becomes fatalDespite more than 100,000 people with Alzheimer's dying each year, the specific cause of death is not the disease itself. Often, secondary diseases arise from complications with the disease, including pneumonia, severe falls, malnutrition, or infection. Read more about the range of complications caused by Alzheimer’s here. DiscoverHow the microbiome affects your healthThe gut microbiome is so influential to overall human health that some researchers consider it a separate organ. Its conditions, influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors such as medication and exercise, contribute to immunity, metabolism, inflammation, medical treatment efficacy, brain development and function, and the development of disorders and diseases, including asthma, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, and Alzheimer's. University of Chicago
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