What is the most common form of dementia, specifically Alzheimer's disease (AD)?

From the Guidelines

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for approximately 60%–80% of dementia cases. This is based on recent estimates from the US Health and Retirement Study, as reported in a 2024 study published in Alzheimer's and Dementia 1. The study highlights that Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular plaques comprised of abnormal amyloid β (Aβ) proteins, neurofibrillary tangles consisting of abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau protein, and neuronal degeneration in brain regions critical for cognitive function. Some key points to consider about Alzheimer's disease include:

• It is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys memory, thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out simple tasks
• It typically begins with mild memory loss and can progress to loss of ability to carry on conversations and respond to the environment
• While there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, medications like cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine can temporarily improve or stabilize symptoms, and new disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) like Lecanemab and Donanemab are being developed to slow the clinical progression of AD 1
• Age is the greatest risk factor, with most cases occurring in people over 65, though genetics and lifestyle factors also play important roles
• Early diagnosis allows for better symptom management and planning for future care needs, and the advent of disease-modifying treatments is expected to trigger a surge in patients seeking a determination of eligibility for these therapies 1.

From the Research

Forms of Dementia

• The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Characteristics of Alzheimer's Disease

• Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disease that progresses over time, heavily burdening patients, families, and aging societies worldwide 6
• It is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta and phosphorylated tau (P-tau) protein 5

Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

• Cholinesterase inhibitors and the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine are presently authorized therapies for Alzheimer's disease 4, 5
• Memantine and donepezil are the most common drugs for the prevention and therapy of Alzheimer's disease 5
• Combination therapy of memantine and donepezil may be more effective in improving cognition, global assessment, daily activities, and neuropsychiatric symptoms compared to monotherapy or placebo 6