Massachusetts General Hospital
Wang Ambulatory Care Center
15 Parkman Street
8th Floor, Suite 835
Boston,
MA
02114
Phone: 617-726-1728
Fax: 617-726-4101
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological condition and the most common cause of dementia. It affects almost 11% of all people over the age of 65.
The Massachusetts General Hospital Memory Disorders Division, which includes the Alzheimer Therapeutics Program, provides expert diagnostic and treatment services for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, helping patients and families navigate this condition with support and care.
Alzheimer's disease is a disorder that leads to a gradual decline in cognitive function, including your ability to think, learn, remember, and make decisions. As symptoms worsen, people with Alzheimer's disease start to lose their independence.
In the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, most patients will need help with almost all daily activities. However, with the proper care and support, patients and their families can focus on maintaining safety, comfort, connection, and quality of life.
Teresa Gomez-Isla, MD, director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Memory Division, explains that while we can’t cure Alzheimer’s, there are promising drugs being tested in clinical trials that may slow memory loss.
In more than 90% of cases, Alzheimer's symptoms don't appear until age 65 or later. Early-onset Alzheimer's disease refers to the smaller percentage of cases that begin before age 65.
At its most extreme, early-onset Alzheimer's can affect people in their 30s, though this is extremely rare. Usually, early-onset Alzheimer's disease affects people in their 40s and 50s.
The primary symptoms of Alzheimer's disease affect cognitive function. Typically, a person with Alzheimer's will experience a decline in:
Every person living with Alzheimer’s disease is unique, as are their signs of Alzheimer's disease. For example, one person with Alzheimer's may retain specific skills such as knitting or reading, while another may not.
Early symptoms often appear as mild memory loss, such as forgetting recent events or details. Over time, memory may decline further, leading to asking repetitive questions, losing things, and confusing people—even family members and loved ones—with strangers.
Alzheimer’s disease progresses differently for everyone, and healthcare professionals may use different terms to describe its stages.
Learn how the stages of Alzheimer's are classified
The exact causes of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are not fully understood. We know that Alzheimer’s is linked to the build-up of certain proteins—called amyloid and tau proteins—in the brain. While it’s unclear why these proteins accumulate, experts believe that Alzheimer’s develops due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
Alzheimer's disease does have a genetic component, but it isn't strictly hereditary, like certain forms of breast cancer (BRCA1) or Huntington's disease.
People with a family history of Alzheimer's have a higher risk of developing it, though it’s not guaranteed. Alzheimer's disease is also more common in people with Down syndrome, a genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
While the exact cause of Alzheimer's is unknown, certain lifestyle and health factors may increase the risk of developing the condition:
Certain factors can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. People at higher risk include those who:
The early signs of Alzheimer's are often subtle versions of the more advanced symptoms that develop later. Common early signs include:
Recognizing these early signs can lead to earlier diagnosis and care, which can help manage symptoms more effectively.
People with Alzheimer’s often experience behavioral symptoms, such as anger, agitation, or aggression. These behaviors are often triggered by one of three common factors:
While Alzheimer’s disease most commonly develops after age 65, symptoms can, in rare cases, appear as early as your 30s, 40s, or 50s. This is called early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Experts also believe there is a “preclinical” phase of Alzheimer’s. During this phase, changes in the brain are already occurring, but symptoms haven’t developed yet. The preclinical phase can begin 10-20 years before noticeable symptoms appear.
A stroke does not cause Alzheimer’s disease, but it can lead to another form of dementia called vascular dementia.
Dementia isn't a specific disorder—it's a general term for cognitive decline, including memory loss, language problems, and personality changes. Alzheimer's disease is one cause of dementia. It has many symptoms in common with vascular dementia, but it isn't the same thing.
The Alzheimer Therapeutics Program seeks to lead the future of dementia care by providing clinical care with disease-modifying therapies, advancing knowledge through research, and educating medical professionals and the public.
