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Epidemiology of Alzheimer disease

Nature Reviews Neurology volume 7, pages 137–152 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

The global prevalence of dementia is estimated to be as high as 24 million, and is predicted to double every 20 years through to 2040, leading to a costly burden of disease. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and is characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive function, which typically begins with deterioration in memory. Before death, individuals with this disorder have usually become dependent on caregivers. The neuropathological hallmarks of the AD brain are diffuse and neuritic extracellular amyloid plaques—which are frequently surrounded by dystrophic neurites—and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. These hallmark pathologies are often accompanied by the presence of reactive microgliosis and the loss of neurons, white matter and synapses. The etiological mechanisms underlying the neuropathological changes in AD remain unclear, but are probably affected by both environmental and genetic factors. Here, we provide an overview of the criteria used in the diagnosis of AD, highlighting how this disease is related to, but distinct from, normal aging. We also summarize current information relating to AD prevalence, incidence and risk factors, and review the biomarkers that may be used for risk assessment and in diagnosis.

Key Points

  • The unprecedented level of aging occurring in developed nations will lead to an enormous burden of Alzheimer disease (AD)

  • The primary pathological hallmarks in AD brain tissue—diffuse and neuritic extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles—are well known, but the underlying etiologies of these pathologies remain unclear

  • The diagnosis of AD in living patients is based on clinical examination—no definite diagnostic test is currently available—but may be supported by the use of clinical biomarkers

  • AD heritability varies from 58–79% depending on age at onset; however, only a portion of the likely substantial genetic contribution to this disease has been determined

  • Several nongenetic factors (including recognized vascular risk factors) have been associated with AD, but the underlying mechanisms linked to these factors are uncertain

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Figure 1: Potential mechanisms linking vascular risk factors and cognitive impairment.
Figure 2: T1-weighted MRI scan of a patient with a clinical diagnosis of late-onset AD.
Figure 3: Changes revealed by PET in the AD brain.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the NIH and the National Institute on Aging (grants R37-AG15473 and P01-AG07232), as well as funding from The Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller Foundation and The Charles S. Robertson Gift from the Banbury Fund (R. Mayeux), and a Paul B. Beeson Career Development Award (K23AG034550) to C. Reitz.

Laurie Barclay, freelance writer and reviewer, is the author of and is solely responsible for the content of the learning objectives, questions and answers of the MedscapeCME-accredited continuing medical education activity associated with this article.

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  1. Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, New York, 10032, NY, USA

    Christiane Reitz & Richard Mayeux

  2. Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Institute of Public Health, University Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0SR, UK

    Carol Brayne

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C. Reitz, C. Brayne and R. Mayeux researched the data for the article, provided substantial contributions to discussions of the content, and contributed equally to writing the article and to review and/or editing of the manuscript before submission.

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R. Mayeux has received grant support from the NIH. The other authors declare no competing interests.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Figure 1

Incidence rates of Alzheimer disease (per 100 person-years) across studies. (DOC 99 kb)

Supplementary Table 1

Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in AD (DOC 20 kb)

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Reitz, C., Brayne, C. & Mayeux, R. Epidemiology of Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Neurol 7, 137–152 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2011.2

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