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Jeffrey L. Cummings, MD; Greg Cole, PhD

JAMA. 2002;287:2335-2338.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

INTRODUCTION

Alzheimer disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that gradually robs the patient of cognitive function and eventually causes death. We review the epidemiology, clinical features, pathophysiology, and treatment of AD.

Incidence, Prevalence, and Economic Impact

Alzheimer disease accounts for 60% to 70% of cases of progressive cognitive impairment in elderly patients. The total prevalence of AD in the United States is estimated at 2.3 million (range, 1.09-4.8 million).¹ The prevalence of AD doubles every 5 years after the age of 60 increasing from a prevalence of 1% among those 60- to 64-years-old to up to 40% of those aged 85 years and older.² The disease is more common among women than men by a ratio of 1.2 to 1.5.³ The number of new cases per year is estimated at 360 000 equating to 980 new cases per day or . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Clinical Diagnosis

Pathology

Molecular Genetics and Pathogenesis

Treatment

Challenges

Author Affiliations: Department of Neurology (Drs Cummings and Cole), Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences (Dr Cummings), University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, and Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System (Dr Cole).

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