Alzheimer's disease is destroying the brains and lives of the people of our country, robbing them of their memory, their ability to reason and affecting their emotions and behavior . Alzheimer's disease weakens the brain. The longer we live, the greater the risk: one in two Americans aged 85 and over and one in ten Americans aged 65 and over have the disease. It affects two groups: people suffering from the disease and the loved ones who care for them. Alzheimer's disease changes the way people perceive the world. Alzheimer's disease is a brain disease. This can be seen as a constant loss of memory and other mental functions. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia; a term for loss of memory and the ability to think, reason, function and behave correctly (Clinic, 2013). The word dementia derives from two Latin words meaning far and spirit respectively. This is different from the slight forgetfulness normally seen in older people. Over the years of this disease, people with Alzheimer's disease no longer know who they are or much about the world around them. Alzheimer's disease is a disorder marked by a progressive decline in brain function that worsens over time. This change was previously thought to be part of the normal aging process, which we called senility. Many people develop this disease at the age of 40 (“Biomarkers Key to Future of Alzheimer's Diagnosis, 2010”). However, the disease is more common in people over 65 years old. It is predictable that around 10 percent of people over the age of 65 may have Alzheimer's disease and that in people over the age of 85; up to 50 percent may be affected (“Risk Factors,” n.d.). Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. It is not contagious,...... middle of article...... taken from http://www.mayoclinic.org/alzheimers-disease/research.html Biomarkers are the key to future of Alzheimer's disease diagnosis | DIV 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. (June 6, 2012). Retrieved from http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24171Mayo Clinic Staff (April 16, 2013). Dementia: symptoms - MayoClinic.com. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dementia/DS01131/DSECTION=symptomsParanoia - Definition and more from the free Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoia Vorvick, L. (November 2, 2012). Bustle: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003212.htm