The Last Love Note: A Novel

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease in which deposits of certain proteins cause brain cells to die, progressively reducing brain function. Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia, which presents as a gradual decline in memory, behavior, cognitive ability, and social skills.

Early signs of Alzheimer’s include forgetting recent events or words for objects, misplacing items, or forgetting how to perform familiar tasks. The cognitive decline typically expands to affect reasoning skills and judgment, and changes in mood, personality, and behavior often result. Patients may experience anger and aggression, delusions, or sleep disruption. The disease can progress to the point where sufferers find themselves lost in familiar places or forget the names of family members. In later stages the loss of function extends to eating, control of bladder and bowels, and speech abilities.

While there are medications that in some cases can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, there is currently no cure. Treatment generally aims to provide the best possible quality of life for sufferers and support for families. Age is the greatest risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s, but environmental and genetic factors may also play a role. Scientists have identified a genetic factor that affects about 1% of Alzheimer’s patients.