Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder that destroys memory and thinking skills, with symptoms typically presenting later in life. An estimated 6 million individuals in the US are affected by AD, most of whom are at least 65 years old. AD is the seventh leading cause of death in the US.1
Changes to the brain may occur 10 or more years before symptoms present. Mild AD is marked by memory loss and other cognitive complications, such as a wandering train of thought, repeating of questions, and behavior changes. In moderate AD, damage occurs to the areas of the brain that control language, reasoning, conscious thought, and sensory processing. Ultimately, progression to severe AD results in changes throughout the brain and brain shrinkage. At this point, memory loss and confusion worsen, and the ability to…