Chapter 10 Alzheimer’s Disease
INTRODUCTION
Description: Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative organic mental syndrome characterized by progressive intellectual deterioration and dementia—the most common form of dementia.
Prevalence: Five million cases annually, 40% of patients older than 85, seventh leading cause of death (2004).
ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS
Causes: Unknown. Proposed—slow virus, aluminum exposure, accelerated aging, autoimmune process, genetic alteration in amyloid production or metabolism.
