Alzheimer's disease, like other dementias, causes the brain to degenerate. As nerve cells are destroyed, the connections between them are also reduced. Alzheimer's strikes first in the hippocampus, where recent memories are stored, and progresses through the brain until it affects judgment, speech patterns and ultimately, all forms of memory.
Alzheimer's is distinguished by the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Doctors do not know if the amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are the cause or byproducts of Alzheimer'ss disease.
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Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Dementia is a brain disorder (damage to the brain cells) that causes loss of memory and makes it hard for people to care for themselves. Alzheimer's may also cause changes i...
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