Alzheimer's disease

American  

[ahlts-hahy-merz, alts-, awlts-] / ˈɑlts haɪ mərz, ˈælts-, ˈɔlts- /

Or Alzheimer disease

noun

Pathology.

1. a common form of dementia, believed to be caused by changes in the brain, usually beginning in late middle age, characterized by memory lapses, confusion, emotional instability, and progressive loss of mental ability.

---

Alzheimer's disease British  

/ ˈæltsˌhaɪməz /

noun

1. Often shortened to: Alzheimer's.  a disorder of the brain resulting in a progressive decline in intellectual and physical abilities and eventual dementia

---

Alzheimer's disease Scientific  

/ äls′hī-mərz /

1. A progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, commonly affecting the elderly, and associated with the development of amyloid plaques in the cerebral cortex. It is characterized by confusion, disorientation, memory failure, speech disturbances, and eventual dementia. The cause is unknown. Alzheimer's disease is named for its identifier, German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer (1864–1915).

---

Alzheimer's disease Cultural  

1. A disease in which mental capacity decreases because of the breakdown of brain cells.

---

Discover More

Alzheimer's disease is a major cause of loss of intellectual function in middle-aged and elderly people.

Etymology

Origin of Alzheimer's disease

Named after Alois Alzheimer (1864–1915), German neurologist, who described it in 1907

Example Sentences

Most standard travel-insurance policies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

It may help scientists better understand aging, inflammation in the brain, injury, Alzheimer's disease and psychiatric conditions.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

These mice also show increased oxidative stress, DNA damage and weakened blood-brain barrier integrity -- all features commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease, says Paul, the study's corresponding author.

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026

Hurt died Saturday of Alzheimer’s disease, her daughter Molly Schrader announced Sunday in an Instagram post.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

She was just beginning her long struggle with Alzheimer's disease, and each time I entered the room, I felt the need to reintroduce myself and set her at ease.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris