Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease, is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it 51 , and eventually leads to death. It was first described by German 52 and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him. Most often, AD is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier. In 2006, there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer's is predicted to 53 1 in 85 people globally by 2050.
Although Alzheimer's disease 54 differently for every individual, there are many common symptoms. Early symptoms are often 55 thought to be "age-related" concerns, or 56 of stress. In the early stages, the most common symptom is difficulty with remembering recent events. When AD is 57 , the diagnosis is usually confirmed with tests that evaluate behaviour and thinking abilities, often followed by a brain scan if 58 As the disease advances, symptoms can include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood swings, trouble with language, and long-term memory loss. As the sufferer declines they often 59 from family and society. Gradually, bodily functions are 60 , ultimately leading to death.