What is Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia?
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer's is a slow
fatal disease of the
brain affecting one of
ten people over the
age of 65 no one
is immune
The disease comes on
gradually as two
abnormal protein
fragments called
plaques and tangles
accumulate in the brain
and kills brain cells
They start here in the
hippocampus the part
of the brain where
memories first formed
over many years’ time
the plaques and
tangles slowly destroy
the hippocampus
It becomes harder
and harder to form new
memories simple
recollection from a few
hours or days ago the
rest of us take for
granted are just
not there
After that more plaques
and tangles spread
into different regions of
the brain killing cells
and compromising
function wherever they
go this spreading
around is what causes
the different stages of
Alzheimer's
From the hippocampus
the disease spreads
here to the region of
the brain where
language is possessed
when that happens it
gets tuff to find the
right words
Next the disease
spreads to the front
of the brain where
logical thought
takes place
Very gradually a
person loses the
ability to solve
problems grasp
concept and make
plans
Next the plaques and
tangles invade the
part of the brain
where emotions are
regulated when this
happens the person
loses control over
moods and feelings
After that the disease
moves to where the
brain makes sense
of things it sees
hears and smells in
this stage Alzheimer’s
reeks havoc on a
person senses and
can cause hallucinations
Eventually the plaques
and tangle erase a
persons oldest and
most precious
memories which are
stored at the back of
the brain
Near the end the
disease compromises
a person balance and
coordination and the
very last stage destroys
the part of the brain
that regulates breathing
and the heart
The progression from mild
forgetting to death is
slow and steady and
takes place over a
period of 8 to 10 years
it's relentless and for
now incurable
Helping your family,
friends, and neighbors
to better understand
Alzheimer's will reduce
stigma, improve care,
and even help the fight
for the cure
The Book
Alzheimer's is a slow
fatal disease of the
brain affecting one of
ten people over the
age of 65 no one
is immune
The disease comes on
gradually as two
abnormal protein
fragments called
plaques and tangles
accumulate in the brain
and kills brain cells
They start here in the
hippocampus the part
of the brain where
memories first formed
over many years’ time
the plaques and
tangles slowly destroy
the hippocampus
It becomes harder
and harder to form new
memories simple
recollection from a few
hours or days ago the
rest of us take for
granted are just
not there
After that more plaques
and tangles spread
into different regions of
the brain killing cells
and compromising
function wherever they
go this spreading
around is what causes
the different stages of
Alzheimer's
From the hippocampus
the disease spreads
here to the region of
the brain where
language is possessed
when that happens it
gets tuff to find the
right words
Next the disease
spreads to the front
of the brain where
logical thought
takes place
Very gradually a
person loses the
ability to solve
problems grasp
concept and make
plans
Next the plaques and
tangles invade the
part of the brain
where emotions are
regulated when this
happens the person
loses control over
moods and feelings
After that the disease
moves to where the
brain makes sense
of things it sees
hears and smells in
this stage Alzheimer’s
reeks havoc on a
person senses and
can cause hallucinations
Eventually the plaques
and tangle erase a
persons oldest and
most precious
memories which are
stored at the back of
the brain
Near the end the
disease compromises
a person balance and
coordination and the
very last stage destroys
the part of the brain
that regulates breathing
and the heart
The progression from mild
forgetting to death is
slow and steady and
takes place over a
period of 8 to 10 years
it's relentless and for
now incurable
Helping your family,
friends, and neighbors
to better understand
Alzheimer's will reduce
stigma, improve care,
and even help the fight
for the cure
The Book
