Alzheimer's Disease A Selective Bibliography of United States Government Documents

In 1906 a German doctor, Louis Alzheimer, first recognized the brain abnormalities that are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. These abnormalities include clumps of dead brain cells (plaque) and tangled nerve fibers. In subsequent years more research was done on the causes and effects of Alzheimer's. Primarily found in people over age 65, the disease creates a loss of memory to the extent that the patient cannot engage in day-to-day activities. Current memories are the most affected; childhood memories are often left intact.