While younger people also may develop AD, it is much less common. On average, AD patients live for 8 to 10 years after they are diagnosed, though the disease can last for up to 20 years. Although the risk of developing AD increases with age, it is important to note that AD is not a normal part of aging. These include a medical and family history, physical examination, laboratory tests, possibly brain scans, and a series of verbal and visual tests that measure memory, language skills, and other abilities related to brain functioning. However, AD still can be diagnosed conclusively only by examining brain tissue after death.
Tangles are insoluble twisted fibers that build up inside neurons.
AD advances by stages, from early, mild forgetfulness to a severe loss of mental function. The earliest symptoms often include loss of recent memory, faulty judgment, and changes in personality. A person with early AD may have trouble remembering recent events, activities, or the names of familiar people or objects. Simple math problems may become hard to solve. As the disease progresses, people with AD may forget how to do simple tasks, such as brushing their teeth or combing their hair.