Alzheimer's Disease. also called Alzheimer's Dementia (Abbr., AD) - AD is one of the dementias that affect humans. A dementia (from the Latin mens mind) is term meaning "progressive loss of intellectual function". In other words, a dementia is a thing that impairs our ability to think normally. Keep in mind that "dementia" is an umbrella term. In other words, the term "dementia" only describes the signs and symptoms the individual is suffering, but does not identify the cause. Headache is another example of an umbrella term. There are many things that can cause headaches, such as stress, chemicals, injury, etc. But if an individual knew that the cause of his or her headaches was carbon monoxide while sitting in traffic, then we could classify the headache as a "toxic vascular headache". Dementias are no different in the respect that the term is an umbrella term until categorized. Logically, it can only be classified after finding a cause.

So, now that we know that a dementia is loss of intellectual abilities, which abilities are lost? The answer again, depends on the cause. If we were to suffer an injury to the right side of the head, brain function in that area may be lost or inhibited for a certain amount of time, or indefinitely. If the cause was chemical, the effect on the brain can be global (more diffusely around the entire brain). Depending on the cause, the intellectual functions that may be lost, include long term-memory, short-term memory, judgement, personality, abstract thinking (calculating), perception, etc

One well-known cause of dementia is Alzheimer's Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease, as some refer to it. AD is the most common cause of dementia, and nearly three-quarters of its sufferers are female. In different areas of the brain, but primarily the cortex (outer portion of brain), plaques form and damage the neuron and its connections. Damage to these areas of the brain result in the chronic loss of intellectual functioning. As more plaques develop, intellectual function deteriorates. Unfortunately, once onset of AD is detected, the average survival is 7 years. There are several stages that can be observed. Initially, failing memory is the first sign of stage I. The second stage is characterized by personality changes (eg., slightly aggressive behaviour), and changes in other aspects of interllectual function. Parkonsonism can also occur. In the third stage, the individual becomes thinner (wasting of muscle and overall bulk), bedridden, incontinent, occassionally presenting with seizures and spasticity. This can be a difficult time for loved ones and both family and nutritional support can prolong the progression of the disease. Some studies indicate the exercise can slow the onset of the disease. Nutrition can help, considering damage to neurons can be lessened with better overall health. Hormonal studies have also shed some hope. There were some studies claiming testosterone helped slow both AD and Parkinsom's DIsease. The cause of plaque development is not yet known. So studies poiut toward envionment factors, such as aluminum as a possible factor. This is because traces of aluminum have been found in the brains of those who died of AD. Therer may also be a genetic predisposition to AD, since AD sometimes runs in families. However, it may prove that although there is a predisposition to AD, there is most likely a factor which triggers the plaque production. This remains to be found.