Alzheimer’s disease is aneuro-degenerative which progressively brings about the loss of cognitive mental functions, following the degeneration of cerebral tissue, and leading to a form of dementia. The most striking symptom of the disease is short term memory loss, whilst the oldest memories remain relatively intact. Other developments involve a loss of dexterity in controlling movements and losing recognition skills.

Its exact cause is still unknown, but it is thought that both environmental and genetic factors contribute towards it. Until the 1960s the disease was believed to be rare, and it was attributed to ageing aspects and a slowing down of vital activity.

The disease was discovered by Aloïs Alzheimer (1864-1915), a German psychiatric doctor and neuro-pathologist who studied the brains of people affected by dementia.

Alzheimer's : don't trust preconised ideas

Contrary to what is often imagined, the quality of life of patients affected by Alzheimer’s disease is not necessarily second-rate.
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Self-unconsciousness

One problem in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease is that certain patients are unaware of their cognitive difficulties.
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The memory set

The work of the Ageing and Memory group shows that the use of alternative memory-loss strategies, particularly recognition by “familiarity” should be promoted in Alzheimer’s patients.
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