Alzheimer's Disease
Accounting for 2 /3
of all cases, around
500,000
people in the UK
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Dementia Statistics Hub
Alzheimer's Disease is the most common cause of dementia.
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As with many types of dementia, the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown. In people with Alzheimer's disease, two unique structures called plaques and tangles can be found within the brain.
It is thought that plaques form when changes to a protein called amyloid-beta cause it to clump together and accumulate between nerve cells (neurons).
Plaque
An accumulation of plaques in the brain disrupts the transmission of messages between neurons. This effects the way the brain processes information such as sensory stimuli and memory
Plaque
Neuron
Plaque
Neuron
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Neurofibrillary tangles are said to develop due to an abnormal form of a protein called Tau. In people with Alzheimer's disease, these tangles collect within neurons, eventually causing the cells to die.
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Neuron with Tangles
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Hippocampus
As plaques and tangles spread throughout the brain, this causes areas of the brain to shrink known as brain atrophy.
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In people with Alzheimer's disease, this usually begins in the area of the brain concerned with forming new memories, the hippocampus.
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As Alzheimer's disease (pathology) progresses throughout the brain symptoms change and worsen.
Further resources
Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease - Alzheimer's Society
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Treatment and Support of Alzheimer's Disease - Alzheimer's Society
Early on-set Alzheimer's - Alzheimers Research UK
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Alzheimer's and Dementia: Inside the Brain - Alzheimer's Association
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10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's - Alzheimer's Association
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