Alzheimer's disease is destroying the brains and lives of people in our country, stealing their memory, their ability to reason and influencing their emotions and behavior. Alzheimer's disease weakens the brain. The longer we live, the greater the risk: One in two Americans aged 85 or older and one in 10 aged 65 or older are affected by this disease. It affects two groups: those affected by the disease and the loved ones who care for them. Alzheimer's disease changes the way people see the world. Alzheimer's disease is a brain disease. This can be considered a constant loss of memory and other mental functions. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia; a term indicating loss of memory and the ability to think, reason, function and behave properly (Clinic, 2013). The word dementia comes from two Latin words, which mean distancing and mind respectively. It is different from the mild forgetfulness normally seen in older people. Over the years of this disease, people with Alzheimer's disease no longer know who they are or know much about the world around them. Alzheimer's disease is a disorder characterized by a gradual decline in brain function that worsens over time. In the past, this change was assumed to be a normal part of aging that we called senility. Many people develop this disease when they reach age 40 ("Biomarkers Key to Future of Alzheimer's Diagnosis, 2010"). However, the disease is more common in people over the age of 65. It is expected that approximately 10% of people over the age of 65 may have Alzheimer's disease and that in people over the age of 85; up to 50% may be affected (“Risk Factors,” n.d.). Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of the aging process. It is not contagious, ... half of the article ... excerpted from http://www.mayoclinic.org/alzheimers-disease/research.html Biomarkers are key to the future of Alzheimer's diagnosis | IVD technology. (2010, July 6). Retrieved from http://www.ivdtechnology.com/blog/ivdt-insight/biomarkers-key-future-alzheimer's-diagnosisHallucination Definition - Mental Health Disorders on MedicineNet.com. (2012, June 6). Retrieved from http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24171Mayo Clinic Staff (2013, April 16). Dementia: Symptoms - MayoClinic.com. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/demenza/DS01131/DSECTION=symptomsParanoia - Definition and more from the free Merriam-Webster dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoiaVorvick, L. (2012, November 2). Agitation: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003212.htm