How common is Alzheimer's form of dementia? In our society of longer lifetimes the probability of suffering from dementia increases with advancing age. The Alzheimer's form of dementia predominantly occurs in the second half of our life, often after the age of 65. In younger people this figure is roughly 1:900, is genetically linked to - but excludes, epilepsy & unfortunately is more predominant in those people with genetic links to the Indian sub-continent, however not all forms and sub-sets of Alzheimer's disease are manifested in younger people. The disease is autosomal, meaning the 3 genes identified in cases of early onset dementia are passed from male to female & vice versa

What is Alzheimer's disease? The slowly progressing destruction of nerve cells in the brain eventually lead to the identifiable symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. It is a natural phenomenon to lose a certain number of nerve cells during ageing, but this loss occurs much more rapidly in people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. As a result the brain of the patient does not function normally any longer. Current research indicates that aluminium in water supplies may be a contributing factor at the diseases inception

For a more technical description & greater information click here for download or read Dementia Care by Trevor Adams & Jill Manthorpe (2002). Chapter 11 is written by Maria Parsons (Head of Oxford Dementia Centre @ Institute of Public Care, Oxford Brookes University) and provides excellent current information regarding younger people with dementia

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease. This means that patients will increasingly show the symptoms of the disease. This progression tends to be accompanied by a series of distinct and identifiable groups of symptoms and is typically divided into three stages:

• The first stage of the disease is called the mild or early-stage Alzheimer. This stage is characterised by impaired mental ability as well as mood swings, depression, anxiety & emotional stress. Practical signs may include occasional disorientation, forgetfulness, verbal repetition and reduced spacial awareness (ie minor bumps when parking a car or being clumsy)

• The second stage is called the moderate stage or mid-stage Alzheimer. During this stage behavioural disturbances usually increasingly develop

• In the advanced stage or late-stage Alzheimer physical problems are dominant