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Alzheimer's Disease
Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s
ability to carry out daily activities. The most common form of dementia
among older people is Alzheimer’s disease, which initially
involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and
language. Although scientists are learning more every day, right
now they still do not know what causes Alzheimer’s disease,
and there is no cure.
Alzheimer’s disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a
German doctor. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain
tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. He
found abnormal clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles
of fibers (now called neurofibrillary tangles). Today, these plaques
and tangles in the brain are considered signs of Alzheimer’s
disease.
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