Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of Dementia.

Dementia is a decline in
mental and cognitive ability. Risk of Dementia increases with age. Hence, Alzheimer’s biggest
risk factor is advancing age.

The origin is unknown although genetic and environmental factors may contribute to
Alzheimer’s. Genetics definitely plays a keen role in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. To inherit a
disease genetically is to be passed on from generation to generation. The trait for Alzheimer’s
will only be visible if the gene is dominant. The gene, apolipoprotein E, is mainly responsible for
the cause of Alzheimer’s. This gene increases a person’s chance of developing Alzheimer’s.
Fortunately, only a few people carry this gene. Environmental factors such as head injury and
lack of education plays a role as well. Lack of education shows decrease in neuron stimulation
and mental activity. High cholesterol and poor lifestyle can also increase the chances of having
Alzheimer’s. Although the cause for Alzheimer’s disease is unknown or uncertain of, genetic
and environmental factors surely take part in the cause of Alzheimer’s.

People over 65 years are more prone to developing Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is more
common in women rather than men because there is a speculation that women live longer.
Since women tend to live longer than men, the number of men who live over the age of 65 is
few. Due to this, researchers cannot confirm the gender disproportion since they cannot figure
out if men would have developed Alzheimer’s if they lived longer.

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s aren’t visible until 10 years later. Lapses of memory is one of the
earliest symptoms. The people who have Alzheimer’s experience