Alzheimer's is a brain disease, non-contagious, progressive and irreversible, which gradually alters memory and other cognitive functions, affecting the ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. In addition, changes in conduct and behavior are common. All of this is a consequence of the progressive loss of neurons and the connections between them.

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by symptoms that have a direct impact on daily life activities. The main symptoms of Alzheimer's are cognitive, psychological and behavioral, such as the following:

• Forgetfulness or difficulty remembering recent information, such as what you ate or what you did during the day. Forgetting relevant dates or facts, the day of the week or the current year.
• Insistent repetition of the same topic or question.For example, asking several times “where are we going?” or “who’s coming to dinner?”
• Difficulty planning or reasoning properly, follow instructions, do household accounting, take medication correctly, cook, go shopping or get dressed.
• Difficulty orienting oneself in the environment.The person with Alzheimer's may not know how to find his or her way home after going shopping in the neighborhood, or may be confused about where he or she has just been or where he or she is now.
• Show confusion. You may mistake the identity of people you know. It is also common to experience confusion over the passage of time: for example, locating events from a distant time in a recent time.
• It is becoming increasingly complex to maintain a conversation, with increasing difficulty in finding the right words or following the thread, and the conversation may be abandoned without being aware of it.
• Loss of important personal items or money,with difficulty or inability to realize it or to activate effective strategies to find them.
• Impaired judgment which can easily lead to falling into deception.
• Apathy. Frequent or constant need for stimulation of activity, even when cognitive capacity is sufficiently preserved to do many things.
• Withdrawal or apparent loss of interest. Avoidance of social interaction and difficulties in relationships. Jokes or irony may not be understood, or the person may have difficulty understanding the moods of others.
• Personality changes. Behaviors that show distrust, irritability, or even aggression may appear. Similarly, mood swings without any apparent reason are common, as is laughing or crying without it being easy to understand why.
• Nervousness in new environments or situations.The person may feel insecure or easily frustrated in situations that are difficult for them to handle.
• Growing need for help due to loss of autonomy.As symptoms progress, the person first needs supervision and then increasingly needs help to carry out daily activities and, in the long term, even with self-care (hygiene, eating, etc.).

There is no drug or treatment capable of curing this disease.The treatments prescribed to date in our context can alleviate symptoms, but they have no influence on the brain changes caused by Alzheimer's.

The good news is that we are facing a paradigm shift in the understanding and approach to this disease. Recently, a new drug called lecanemab, capable of slowing cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer's.

Although there is some controversy about its effectiveness and it is not yet available in Europe, it is a very important step in the treatment of Alzheimer's. Another new drug with similar characteristics, called donanemab, is also in the process of possible approval in the United States.

Having an Alzheimer's diagnosis allows the affected person make plans for the future and make their own decisions before the progression of the disease prevents it. An accurate and preferably early diagnosis is key to the health and care planning of the person diagnosed.

Having memory problems is not necessarily indicative of Alzheimer's or another neurodegenerative disease. A visit to a specialist doctor (usually a neurologist) will help to rule out the possibility that the symptoms have another, potentially treatable cause.

If the diagnosis of Alzheimer's is confirmed, it will be possible to access treatments and resources that allow the symptoms to be addressed in the most appropriate way and navigate the course of the disease, taking into account the well-being and quality of life of those affected and those who care for them.

Nowadays, we still don't know what are the causes that originate Alzheimer's disease. There is increasing evidence supporting the idea that there is no single cause, but there are several factors that, to a greater or lesser extent, can influence its possible development. These are what we know as Alzheimer's risk factors. Some are modifiable and others are not.

It is estimated that one in three cases of Alzheimer's could be prevented by influencing the risk factors that we can modify.

The main non-modifiable factor is the age, although the development of Alzheimer's is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Another factor is the genetic, as it should be understood that some genes increase the risk of suffering from Alzheimer's, without this being a determining factor in the vast majority of cases.

Modifiable factors are those that concern the control of cardiovascular health and the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits, among which the most notable are cognitive and social activity, adequate nutrition, physical activity and ensuring good quality sleep.

Alzheimer's affects women more, partly due to a question of greater longevity. There also seem to be other factors linked to the female sex, such as hormonal issues. The mechanisms are not yet exactly known and it is currently a very active line of research. very active.

Yes, the disease affects each person differently.There are many factors that influence the speed of progression of the disease or the predominance of some symptoms or others to be different in each case.

Despite the aforementioned differences between people, there is a clinical pattern that allows for a description of the typical evolution, from which the different phases of Alzheimer's disease can be identified.

Other health problems may also occur in the same person that, in addition to Alzheimer's, make their care needs more complex. Health and social care professionals are best placed to provide guidance on resources to manage each particular situation.

The development of Alzheimer's disease is due to a genetic cause, i.e. is inherited, in only 1% or less of cases.

Being the son or daughter of someone who suffers or has suffered from Alzheimer's does not mean that one will develop the disease. There are some genes that increase the risk, but they are not decisive.

An early diagnosis , when the person still has sufficient capacity to make decisions about their future, allows them to make of use of relevant legal protections (e. g. living wills or advance directives) and to express their wishes about these and other issues related to their care when the progression of the disease prevents him or her from doing so.

There is no formula that is better than another, but it will depend on the personal and family circumstances in each case.In addition to residential centres, there are other social resources that can facilitate the provision of care that promotes the greatest possible well-being for people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers: day centres, home help services or others.

The decision to place a loved one into a residential facility is often difficult and painful. However, if circumstances make this the option that will best ensure the person with Alzheimer's well-being or the fulfillment of their wishes, it will be a good decision. Proper resaearch and evaluation of possible centres will be of great help in choosing the best option.

These are two different concepts, although closely related, because Alzheimer's is the main cause of dementia.

Alzheimer's is a brain disease caused by pathological changes that alter the functioning of neurons and for many years it does not cause symptoms. But it inevitably manifests itself and signs of cognitive deterioration begin to appear, which will end in dementia.

Dementia is a set of signs and symptoms produced by a brain disorder that causes the loss of cognitive abilities of the affected person, as well as alterations in mood and behavior, which leads to a loss of autonomy of the affected person.

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