What is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease is a neurologic disease causing memory impairment and difficulty handling daily activities. What causes Alzheimer’s disease? The underlying cause is under research. However, we know that patients with Alzheimer’s disease lose neurons and have abnormal protein accumulations in the brain. Are there any treatments for Alzheimer’s disease? Yes. There are several treatments for Alzheimer’s disease that promote modest improvement in memory and day-to-day functioning. Is there a cure for Alzheimer’s disease? Not yet. However, significant research is ongoing, and patients at UCI Health have opportunities to participate in clinical trials. What is the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia? Dementia refers to a clinical syndrome of progressive cognitive impairment impacting daily activities. There are several causes of dementia. The most common is Alzheimer’s disease. It is important to have a neurologic evaluation to determine the underlying cause of dementia. We can then provide the most appropriate treatment.
