Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, a progressive neurodegenerative condition.
Over time, AD causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to eventually die, resulting in a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behavior and social skills These changes affect a person’s ability to function.
In 2024, nearly 7 million Americans age 65 and older were living with AD. Symptoms, such as memory loss and mood changes, typically appear after age 60. The number of Americans with AD is projected to triple to 14 million by 2060. There are likely multiple causes of AD, from genetics to lifestyle behaviors to age, which is the best-known risk factor.
One in three older Americans dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It is the fifth-leading cause of death among people aged 65 and older. There is currently no known cure for AD. Treatments primarily focus on alleviating symptoms or changing disease progression.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Research at Sanford Burnham Prebys
Experts Available
Anne Bang PhD
Jerold Chun MD, PhD
Timothy Huang PhD
Xiao Tian PhD
Media Contacts
Greg Calhoun
(586) 530-9706
gcalhoun@sbpdiscovery.org
Scott LaFee
(619) 889-2368
slafee@spbdiscovery.org