Education & Resources

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Explore the education and resources to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD).

Tools & Guides

Dementia Risk Factors & Prevention

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Diversity, Disparities and Dementia

Health and Nutrition Issues Impacting Dementia

Glossary

Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Related Dementias (AD/ ADRD)

Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) are among the most prevalent forms of dementia. These conditions have significant cognitive and pathological overlaps, making diagnosis and treatment challenging, with no known methods to prevent or stop their progression. While Alzheimer's Disease is the most common dementia diagnosis, ADRDs share many features and are often difficult to distinguish from Alzheimer's, as patients typically exhibit a mix of brain pathologies, further complicating diagnosis and treatment.

Sources: ○ Behavioral and Social Research on AD/ADRD ○ Focus on ADRD ○ Progress and Potential: ADRD Research - Biomarkers ○ Progress and Potential: ADRD Research - Caregiving

Amyloid, Tau, Neurodegeneration (A/T/N)

Amyloid is a protein that can build up in the brain, forming clumps called plaques, which are linked to Alzheimer's disease and can interfere with brain cell function. Tau is another protein that, when it changes form, creates tangles inside brain cells, contributing to their damage and death. Neurodegeneration is the gradual breakdown and loss of brain cells, leading to diseases like Alzheimer's, which affects memory and thinking skills.

Sources: ○ ITR Website - "For Researchers" ○ A blood test for Alzheimer’s disease draws near (from ITR "News") ○ New biological research framework for Alzheimer's seeks to spur discovery ○ New paper estimates AT(N) framework impact on effectiveness of Alzheimer’s research

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD or ALZ)

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear later in life. Estimates vary, but experts suggest that more than 6 million Americans, most of them age 65 or older, may have Alzheimer’s.

Source: NIA

Brain Aging

Brain aging involves age-related changes that can impact various brain functions, including cognitive abilities, motor skills, emotional responses, and tactile function. Common cognitive changes with aging include mild forgetfulness and slower learning, while the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, significantly increases. Despite these risks, some cognitive skills, such as language use, may remain stable or improve, and lifestyle changes can help maintain overall brain health.

Sources: ○ How the Aging Brain Affects Thinking ○ Some brain functions may improve with age ○ Cognitive Health and Older Adults

Dementia

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person's daily life and activities. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person's functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of daily living, such as feeding oneself. Definition, types, risks, causes, symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, etc.

Source: NIA

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Some older adults have more memory or thinking problems than other adults their age. This condition is called mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. There is no single cause of MCI. The risk of developing MCI increases as someone gets older. Conditions such as diabetes, depression, and stroke may increase a person’s risk for MCI.

Source: NIA

MRI Scan

The MRI of the head shows us the volume and thickness of the brain. It also tells us if you have bleeding, inflammation, damage from an injury or stroke, or problems with your blood vessels. You will have to lie still for the duration of the scan.

Source: Study Guide

PET Scan

The PET scan can show us if you have proteins in your brain that can lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. This scan involves injecting a liquid containing a small amount of radiation, which is considered safe. You may eat and drink normally after your visit, but try to drink more water. Although the amount of radiation from the scan is low, consider limiting contact with women who are pregnant and with young children for a few hours.

Source: Study Guide