Alzheimer's Disease: Etiology, Diagnosis, Stages of the Course and Prevention

Abstract

Numerous scientific studies show that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease [1]. Despite the huge amount of knowledge accumulated over the past two decades about the biological basis of the disease, its etiology remains unknown. The main initial symptom of AD is memory loss. As the disease progresses, there take place dementia, changes in personality and behavior. During the final stages, patients are not able to perform even the simplest tasks, and they are completely dependent on caregivers. The diagnosis of AD is based on the recommendations of the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for AD [1, 2]. Differential diagnosis of AD should be established with vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and other diseases that cause dementia. Patient care is very important as well as the treatment of other AD symptoms and coexistent diseases.