Donate now See menu Shop Support line Search Home About dementia Types of dementia Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Learn about the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and factors that can put someone at risk of developing it. We also look at treatments and support currently available for the condition. You are here: Alzheimer's disease Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease Risk factors: Who gets Alzheimer's disease? Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease Treatment and support of Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease - more resources Alzheimer's disease Save this information Get a copy What is Alzheimer's disease? Dementia is the name for a set of symptoms that includes memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Dementia develops when the brain is damaged by diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a physical disease that affects the brain. It is named after Alois Alzheimer, the doctor who first described it. Press play to watch a four-minute video about Alzheimer's disease: Causes of Alzheimer's disease The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that connect to each other. In Alzheimer’s disease, connections between these cells are lost. This is because proteins build up and form abnormal structures called ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’. Eventually nerve cells die and brain tissue is lost. The brain also contains important chemicals that help to send signals between cells. People with Alzheimer’s have less of some of these ‘chemical messengers’ in their brain, so the signals are not passed on as well. There are some drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease that can help boost the levels of some chemical messengers in the brain. This can help with some of the symptoms. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. This means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, more symptoms develop, and they also get worse. More than 520,000 people in the UK have dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease and this figure is set to rise. Dementia and the brain Get more information on how dementia affects the brain. Read more Accessible versions of this information Watch a signed version of our information about Alzheimer's disease or listen to it in an audio version. Press play to listen: Press play to watch: We need your help People affected by dementia are facing the long-lasting effects of the pandemic. Reduced social contact and suspended support services had a devastating impact. We need your help now more than ever with donations to our Coronavirus Recovery Appeal. Make a monthly donation now Make a single donation now Need help finding dementia information? Find the information and support you're looking for with our free online tool. Get online support Previous Section You are on the first page Next Section 2. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease Categories Alzheimer's disease Further reading What kind of information would you like to read? Use the button below to choose between help, advice and real stories. Decide what you see Husband’s young-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis made me passionate about educating others Real stories Tracey Seymour, whose husband was diagnosed in his mid-50s, wants to challenge the perception that dementia only affects older people. 30 September 2021 4 Taking part in a ‘home Olympics’ made a man with dementia feel part of a team... and competitive again! Real stories Tommy Dunne in Liverpool, aged 68 and living with Alzheimer’s, tells us about being part of the Home Games. 30 September 2021 0 Q&A: Gerard Doran, who lives with young-onset Alzheimer’s Real stories Gerard Doran, a 62-year-old in County Armagh with young-onset Alzheimer’s, answers our questions. 30 September 2021 0 Previous Next Sign up to get twice-monthly e-newsletter updates from Alzheimer’s Society. You can change what you receive at any time and we will never sell your details to third parties. Here’s our Privacy Policy. Useful links Jobs Working for us Contact us Publications and factsheets Training and conferences Blog Legal information Cookies Report a website problem Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube All content © 2021 Alzheimer's Society. Registered office at Alzheimer's Society, 43-44 Crutched Friars, London, EC3N 2AE Alzheimer's Society is a registered Charity No. 296645. Registered as a company limited by guarantee and registered in England No. 2115499 We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use our site, remember your settings and assist our marketing to better support people affected by dementia. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver services to you. Accept All Cookies Manage Cookies