The symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease are much more severe than such simple memory lapses. Alzheimer symptoms affect communication, learning, thinking, reasoning, and can have an impact on a person's work and social life. The chart below provides examples of the differences between persons with Alzheimer's Disease and age-related memory problems. A Person with Alzheimer's Disease. A Person with Age-Associated Memory Problems.
Many conditions can cause dementia.
Dementia related to depression, drug interaction, thyroid and other problems may be reversible if detected early. It is important to identify the actual cause in order to receive proper care. Alzheimer's Disease is the leading cause of dementia, as the graph below shows. Symptoms are failing memory, changes in behavior and lack of muscle coordination. CJD progresses rapidly, usually causing death within a year.