Current State of Alzheimer's Disease
Introduction
Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia is characterized by a specific pattern of cognitive and functional decline associated with aging, ultimately leading to death. It was initially documented by Alois Alzheimer in 1906 when he presented the case of Auguste Deter, a 51-year-old woman who displayed cognitive disturbances, disorientation, delusions, and other behavioral changes when first examined in 1901. Mrs. Deter passed away 4.5 years later in 1906. Alzheimer's neuropathological examination revealed widespread brain atrophy and distinctive alterations in clusters of cortical cells. These findings were presented in a lecture on the unique disease process affecting the cerebral cortex.