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What You Need to
Know about
Alzheimer’s Disease
Matthew Domico and Valerie Hill

Inside Diseases and Disorders

Copyright © 2022 by ABC-CLIO, LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without prior permission in writing
from the publisher.
This book discusses treatments (including types of medication and mental health therapies),
diagnostic tests for various symptoms and mental health disorders, and organizations. The authors
have made every effort to present accurate and up-to-date information. However, the information in
this book is not intended to recommend or endorse particular treatments or organizations, or
substitute for the care or medical advice of a qualified health professional, or be used to alter any
medical therapy without a medical doctor’s advice. Specific situations may require specific
therapeutic approaches not included in this book. For those reasons, we recommend that readers
follow the advice of qualified health care professionals directly involved in their care. Readers who
suspect they may have specific medical problems should consult a physician about any suggestions
made in this book.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Domico, Matthew, author. | Hill, Valerie, 1975- author.
Title: What you need to know about Alzheimer’s disease / Matthew Domico and Valerie Hill.
Description: Santa Barbara, California : Greenwood, ABC-CLIO, [2022] | Series: Inside diseases and
disorders | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021054204 (print) | LCCN 2021054205 (ebook) | ISBN 9781440870316
(hardcover) | ISBN 9781440870323 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Alzheimer’s disease. | Families.
Classification: LCC RC523 .D66 2022 (print) | LCC RC523 (ebook) | DDC 616.8/311—
dc23/eng/20211121
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021054204
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021054205
ISBN: 978-1-4408-7031-6 (print)
978-1-4408-7032-3 (ebook)
26 25 24 23 22 12345
This book is also available as an eBook.
Greenwood
An Imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC
ABC-CLIO, LLC
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www.abc-clio.com

This book is printed on acid-free paper

Manufactured in the United States of America
To the first survivor of Alzheimer’s.
Contents

Series Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Essential Questions

CHAPTER 1
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

CHAPTER 2
The History of Alzheimer’s Disease

CHAPTER 3
Causes and Risk Factors

CHAPTER 4
Signs and Symptoms

CHAPTER 5
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management

CHAPTER 6
Long-Term Prognosis and Potential Complications

CHAPTER 7
Effects on Family and Friends

CHAPTER 8
Prevention

CHAPTER 9
Issues and Controversies

CHAPTER 10
Current Research and Future Directions

Case Illustrations

Glossary

Directory of Resources

Bibliography

Index
Series Foreword

Disease is as old as humanity itself, and it has been the leading cause of
death and disability throughout history. From the Black Death in the Middle
Ages to smallpox outbreaks among Native Americans to the modern-day
epidemics of diabetes and heart disease, humans have lived with—and died
from—all manner of ailments, whether caused by infectious agents,
environmental and lifestyle factors, or genetic abnormalities. The field of
medicine has been driven forward by our desire to combat and prevent
disease and to improve the lives of those living with debilitating disorders.
And while we have made great strides forward, particularly in the last 100
years, it is doubtful that mankind will ever be completely free of the burden
of disease.
Greenwood’s Inside Diseases and Disorders series examines some of
the key diseases and disorders, both physical and psychological, affecting
the world today. Some (such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and
ADHD) have been selected because of their prominence within modern
America. Others (such as Ebola, celiac disease, and autism) have been
chosen because they are often discussed in the media and, in some cases,
are controversial or the subject of scientific or cultural debate.
Because this series covers so many different diseases and disorders, we
have striven to create uniformity across all books. To maximize clarity and
consistency, each book in the series follows the same format. Each begins
with a collection of 10 frequently asked questions about the disease or
disorder, followed by clear, concise answers. Chapter 1 provides a general
introduction to the disease or disorder, including statistical information such
as prevalence rates and demographic trends. The history of the disease or
disorder, including how our understanding of it has evolved over time, is
addressed in chapter 2. Chapter 3 examines causes and risk factors, whether
genetic, microbial, or environmental, while chapter 4 discusses signs and
symptoms. Chapter 5 covers the issues of diagnosis (and misdiagnosis),
treatment, and management (whether with drugs, medical procedures, or
lifestyle changes). How such treatment, or the lack thereof, affects a
patient’s long-term prognosis, as well as the risk of complications, are the
subject of chapter 6. Chapter 7 explores the disease or disorder’s effects on
the friends and family of a patient—a dimension often overlooked in
discussions of physical and psychological ailments. Chapter 8 discusses
prevention strategies, while chapter 9 explores key issues or controversies,
whether medical or sociocultural. Finally, chapter 10 profiles cutting-edge
research and speculates on how things might change in the next few
decades.
Each volume also features five fictional case studies to illustrate
different aspects of the book’s subject matter, highlighting key concepts and
themes that have been explored throughout the text. The reader will also
find a glossary of terms and a collection of print and electronic resources
for additional information and further study.
As a final caveat, please be aware that the information presented in
these books is no substitute for consultation with a licensed health care
professional. These books do not claim to provide medical advice or
guidance.
Acknowledgments

I am tremendously fortunate to have the support of so many wonderful

people who provided great patience, kind understanding, and genuine
interest as I worked to complete this project. I am especially grateful to my
wife for helping me find time to write, for encouraging me throughout the
process, and for showing me a lifetime of kindness. Thank you for every
countless act of love. I am also grateful to my parents for helping me
discover the path that would one day lead me to write the words printed on
this page. Heartfelt thanks for everything. I would also like to express deep
gratitude to my admirable colleague, Valerie Hill, for inviting me to
coauthor this book. Valerie, thank you for the uplifting conversations,
helpful guidance, and great camaraderie. I look forward to collaborating
with you again.

—MD

This book would not have been possible without the love and support of my
family and friends. I would especially like to thank my husband for his
constant words of encouragement, my mother for always making sure I had
uninterrupted time to write, and my “bestest” friend for always being there
to lend an ear when I need it most. To my daughter, seeing your smiling
face and spending time with you are by far the best part of each day. To my
skillful coauthor, Matthew Domico, thank you for agreeing to take on this
book with me. We were able to overcome some significant challenges and
have a few laughs along the way.

—VH

Our editor, Maxine Taylor, also deserves a special thanks for being
remarkably patient and helpful throughout this process. It was our pleasure
to contribute to this book series.

—MD & VH
Introduction

Human development encompasses all of the changes that occur across the
life span due to nature—our biological processes—and nurture—our
environmental influences and life experiences. When teaching about
development, we often ask students, What is the most important
developmental period: childhood, adolescence, or adulthood? The answer
given most often is “childhood.” The truth is that no age period is more
important than any other; each one is associated with specific milestones
and unique challenges. Adulthood is comprised of various typical physical,
social, and cognitive changes that naturally occur as we age; however,
Alzheimer’s disease is not one of them. But if Alzheimer’s is not a typical
part of normal aging, why is it ranked the sixth-leading cause of death in the
United States? Alzheimer’s does not only impact individuals in the United
States. Instead, it is a global health epidemic that affects people all over the
world. As individuals age, they or their loved ones may worry that any
decline in memory or thinking ability may be due to Alzheimer’s disease.
This book aims to provide information about the nature of Alzheimer’s, the
history of the disease, its causes and risk factors, warning signs and
symptoms, and how the disease is diagnosed and treated.
Alzheimer’s disease is an important topic since it is currently the only
major cause of death that cannot be cured, slowed down, or successfully
prevented. Consequently, the mortality rate of Alzheimer’s has climbed by
over 145% in the United States in the last two decades. This is especially
alarming when compared to changes in the mortality rates of other causes
of death, such as stroke, heart disease, and HIV, which have all dropped
over the last two decades. This progressive brain disease not only affects
individuals living with the condition but also their loved ones. As you might
expect, caring for a friend or family member living with Alzheimer’s
disease can be a long, demanding, and emotionally draining process. Even
if we are fortunate enough to avoid the disease within our own social
circles, the expected surge of Alzheimer’s disease cases over the next
several decades will create a global imperative that will profoundly impact
our nation’s health-care system, its economy, and our sociocultural
understanding of the aging process. In one way or another, most people’s
lives will eventually be touched by the devastating consequences of
Alzheimer’s. We are hopeful that a more widespread understanding of the
disease will pave the way for continued discussions, additional research,
and new initiatives that will one day soon put an end to the terminal,
incurable nature of the disease.
Essential Questions

1. WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes cognitive
and behavioral problems. Memory loss, for example, typically begins
slowly but progresses over time, gradually becoming serious enough to
disrupt everyday tasks and bodily functions. Alzheimer’s disease is
ultimately fatal. Refer to chapter 1 for a more complete overview of the
disease.

2. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEMENTIA

AND ALZHEIMER’S?
Dementia is a term that refers to a group of conditions characterized by a
global decline in mental and physical abilities. In other words, dementia is a
set of symptoms linked to a loss of memory or other cognitive abilities
significant enough to impair a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most severe, devastating, and common form of
dementia. Chapter 1 defines dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and
Alzheimer’s dementia in greater detail and discusses the differences
between them.
3. WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR ALZHEIMER’S?
The greatest known risk factor is increasing age; however, it is important to
remember that Alzheimer’s is not a typical part of aging. Other risk factors
include family history, apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 gene, smoking, obesity,
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, education level,
and stress. Chapter 3 discusses each of these risk factors.

4. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY LOVED ONE HAS

ALZHEIMER’S?
Symptoms of the disease (e.g., memory loss, decline in the ability to
perform routine tasks, impairment of judgment) develop slowly and
gradually. Therefore, the disease process can begin years before an
individual notices any changes. In addition, there is no single test to
determine whether someone has Alzheimer’s. Instead, doctors use a
multifaceted approach that often includes a complete medical history
(including family history of the disease), physical examination, laboratory
and cognitive tests, brain-imaging tools, as well discussing any changes in
thinking and/or everyday behaviors. Refer to chapter 4 for more
information about the signs and symptoms of the disease and chapter 5 for
how the disease is diagnosed.

5. WHEN CAN SOMEONE DEVELOP ALZHEIMER’S?

The majority of people with Alzheimer’s are age 65 or older; this is called
late-onset Alzheimer’s. Only up to 5% of individuals with Alzheimer’s have
early-onset Alzheimer’s. This type happens to people who are younger than
age 65. Often, they are in their 40s or 50s when they are diagnosed with the
disease. Most people who have early-onset Alzheimer’s have familial
Alzheimer’s disease (FAD). Doctors know that this form of the disease is
linked to genes; at least two generations of their family have had the
disease. For more information, see chapter 1 regarding the prevalence rate
of the disease and chapter 3 for the timing of early versus late onset.