The Causes and Effects of Alzheimer’s Disease
                     The causes 
and effects 
of 
Alzheimer’s 
disease
Introduction
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurologic disorder that 
causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die. 
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia a 
continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that 
affects a person's ability to function independently.
Source: www.mayoclinic.org
Early signs
The early signs of the disease include forgetting recent events or 
conversations. As the disease progresses, a person with 
Alzheimer's disease will develop severe memory impairment and 
lose the ability to carry out everyday tasks.
Source: www.mayoclinic.org
Symptoms
Memory loss is the key symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Early 
signs include difficulty remembering recent events or 
conversations. As the disease progresses, memory impairments 
worsen and other symptoms develop.
Source: www.mayoclinic.org
Memory
People with Alzheimer's may:
• Repeat statements and questions over and over
• Forget conversations, appointments or events, and not 
remember them later
• Routinely misplace possessions, often putting them in illogical 
locations
• Get lost in familiar places
• Eventually forget the names of family members and everyday 
objects
Source: www.mayoclinic.org
Thinking and reasoning
• Alzheimer's disease causes difficulty concentrating and 
thinking, especially about abstract concepts such as numbers.
• Multitasking is especially difficult, and it may be challenging 
to manage finances, balance checkbooks and pay bills on 
time.
Source: www.mayoclinic.org
Making judgments and 
decisions
• Alzheimer's causes a decline in the ability to make reasonable 
decisions and judgments in everyday situations. 
• For example, a person may make poor or uncharacteristic 
choices in social interactions or wear clothes that are 
inappropriate for the weather.
Source: www.mayoclinic.org
Planning and performing 
familiar tasks
• Once-routine activities that require sequential steps, such as 
planning and cooking a meal or playing a favorite game, 
become a struggle as the disease progresses. 
• Eventually, people with advanced Alzheimer's often forget 
how to perform basic tasks such as dressing and bathing.
Source: www.mayoclinic.org
Changes in personality 
and behavior
Brain changes that occur in Alzheimer's disease can affect moods 
and behaviors. Problems may include the following:
• Depression
• Apathy
• Social withdrawal
• Mood swings
• Distrust in others
• Irritability and aggressiveness
• Changes in sleeping habits
• Wandering
Source: www.mayoclinic.org
Causes
The exact causes of Alzheimer's disease aren't fully understood. 
But at a basic level, brain proteins fail to function normally, which 
disrupts the work of brain cells (neurons) and triggers a series of 
toxic events. Neurons are damaged, lose connections to each 
other and eventually die.
Source: www.mayoclinic.org
Risk factors
• Age: Increasing age is the greatest known risk factor for 
Alzheimer's disease. 
• Family history and genetics: Your risk of developing 
Alzheimer's is somewhat higher if a first-degree relative — 
your parent or sibling — has the disease.
• Down syndrome: Many people with Down syndrome develop 
Alzheimer's disease. 
• Head trauma: People who've had a severe head trauma have 
a greater risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Source: www.mayoclinic.org