Libro de bolsillo sobre la enfermedad de Alzheimer

Introduction.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly and accounts for 50 to 80% of dementia cases (Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org). It is a degenerative neurologic disease with progressive cognitive, behavioral and motor impairment manifested as increased deficits regarding attention, executive function, language, memory, and visuo-spatial skills, and in the ability to function in the home, social and work settings.
Alzheimer’s disease is predominantly observed in people over the age of 65 years (late-onset Alzheimer’s disease), and tends to be more prevalent in women (2 out of 3 cases) than men. Currently there are estimates of up to 5.4 million people in the US that may have Alzheimer’s. This equates to approximately 1 in 8 Americans over 65 years old, and 50%
of over 85 year-olds. In 2006, the worldwide prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease was 26.6 million. By 2050, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s is expected to have quadrupled, to an anticipated 1 in 85 persons worldwide (Brookmeyer et al, 2007).