Introduction:Memory plays an important role in the daily lives of people of all ages. This allows them to remember information and skills learned in the past. Memory also organizes past information to help people make current and future decisions. However, imagine forgetting the names of your immediate family members or not being able to find your keys every time you want to leave the house. These are some of the challenges that people with Alzheimer's disease face on a daily basis. Alzheimer's disease was first identified by German neurologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and found to have a major effect on explicit memory loss (Gruetzner, 1988). There are two types of Alzheimer's disease: early-onset and late-onset. Early onset occurs in patients diagnosed before age 65, while late onset occurs in patients diagnosed after age 65. In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, short-term memory is often lost. As Alzheimer's disease progresses, long-term memory problems begin to develop, in addition to short-term memory problems. Although much is known about the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, the cause has not been conclusively identified. However, as research continues, new theories about the causes of Alzheimer's disease are being proposed. This has given rise to controversy over whether Alzheimer's disease is caused by genetics or by environmental influences (Gruetzner, 1988). Abnormal changes in the brain: Clinically, Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque between living neurons in the brain (Sabbagh, 2008). This results in an excessive influx of calcium inside neurons and the breakdown of a protein called tau. Normally, the roll...... middle of paper ......03/22/aluminum-toxicity-alzheimers.aspx.Petersen, RC (2002). Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease. Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic. Post, S.G. and Whitehouse, P.J. (1998). Genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease: ethical and clinical issues. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. Sabbagh, M.N. (2008). The answer to Alzheimer's disease: reduce your risks and keep your brain healthy. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Sklar, H.L. (2013). Controversial health topic: The herpes virus causes Alzheimer's disease. Reader summary. Retrieved from http://www.rd.com/health/conditions/controversial-health-topic-the-herpes-virus-causes-alzheimers/. Tanzi, R. (2000). Unveiling the genetics of Alzheimer's disease. Archives of Neurology, 57(8), 1236.Weiner, M.A. (1989). Reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Chelsea, Michigan: Scarborough House.