Alzheimer's Disease is a finalist for a 2005 ForeWord Book of the Year Award! Click here to learn more about the ForeWord Book of the Year Awards. An estimated 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease, only half of whom have been diagnosed. An uncertain but even larger number have mild cognitive impairment, often a precursor to Alzheimer's. By 2030, barring a cure for this illness, the number of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease is estimated to be 8 million, and by 2050, 14 million. The cost in both suffering and dollars on the part of patients and families is enormous and continues to grow worldwide. Alzheimer's Disease provides an overview of the latest findings regarding the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It will help caregivers and family members gain a better understanding of the nature of the disease process and the available options for coping with and managing this illness. Chapters include an introduction to dementia and Alzheimer's disease, aging; memory; depression; medications; alternative treatments; stages and prognosis of the disease; a chapter for caregivers; and much more. The subtitles of each chapter are written in question format to help readers search for the topics that most relate to their problem. To further help navigate this book, references are organized by topic and chapter at the end of the book. In addition, all abbreviations are listed in a table at the beginning of the book, and words that appear in the glossary are italicized upon their first occurrence in the text. This latest volume in the American Academy of Neurology Press Quality of Life Guide series is an essential tool for all families coping with Alzheimer's disease.