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The Practice section features clinical practice guidelines for both patients and clinicians, patient safety educational initiatives, information on Pay-for-Performance and Medicare's PQRI program. Look for related areas, such as coding and reimbursement, payer relations, and health information technology-and how they can impact your practice.

Education Highlights

Neurologic education is one of the AAN's core values. The AAN extends this beyond its membership to K-12 students, college students, medical students, residents, fellows, neurologists in practice and Academia, and non-neurologist physicians. The website's Education section is the place where both members and non-members can learn of the scope and breadth of neurologic education opportunities created and hosted by the AAN. This educational mission is delivered in three main venues: the Annual Meeting, regional meetings, and online.

Science Highlights

The Science section contains AAN resources relevant to the academic neurologist and to those who follow scientific developments in neurology, whether basic, translational, or purely clinical. The section contains information regarding AAN scientific awards and training grants, news and resources related to the NINDS, and information related to the AAN Science Committee and its role in planning the scientific aspects of the AAN Annual Meeting.

Advocacy Highlights

The Academy gives members the tools, training, and assistance they need to change American health policy for the better, often in collaboration with local, national, and international medical and patient organizations. Explore the Advocacy pages to find the information and resources you need to get involved today, and to offer your feedback on how the AAN can assist in your advocacy efforts.

Publications Highlights

The AAN supports neurologic research, scientific inquiry, information sharing, and quality education. For neurologists, the peer-reviewed weekly journal Neurology(R), self-study publication Continuum, and other offerings promote lifelong learning and enhanced patient care. Patients, families, and caregivers draw inspiration from the Neurology Now magazine and get facts about neurologic disorders and treatments from evidence-based guideline summaries and clearly-written education books. From the exam room to the living room, the AAN offers print and online resources for everyone.

Foundation Highlights

The American Academy of Neurology Foundation (AAN Foundation) is an independent 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the AAN.

Our Mission: The Foundation exists to further the goals of the American Academy of Neurology by supporting education and research in neurology, and is dedicated to improving patient care, quality of life, and public understanding of brain and other neurologic disorders.

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Where you can connect with your colleagues in your subspecialty or area of interest. Each community is supported through forums where members can discuss topics most important to them, access relevant articles, and contribute to valuable community-generated resources.

Marketplace Highlights

Welcome to AAN Marketplace, your one-stop shop for tools, resources, and more. You'll find a wide selection of educational and clinical reference tools for your neurology practice in the AAN Store(TM). Search or post employment opportunities in Dendrite: Career Connections in Neurology(TM). If you are an AAN member, please check that you are logged in to take advantage of member-only discounts.

Press Room Highlights

The AAN's online press room provides assistance to the news media in understanding the latest research in neurology, as well as the role of the neurologist in providing quality patient care.

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Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related, non-reversible brain disorder that develops over a period of years. Initially, people experience memory loss and confusion, which may be mistaken for the kinds of memory changes that are sometimes associated with normal aging. However, the symptoms of AD gradually lead to behavior and personality changes, a decline in cognitive abilities such as decision-making and language skills, and problems recognizing family and friends. AD ultimately leads to a severe loss of mental function. These losses are related to the worsening breakdown of the connections between certain neurons in the brain and their eventual death. AD is one of a group of disorders called dementias that are characterized by cognitive and behavioral problems. It is the most common cause of dementia among people age 65 and older.There are three major hallmarks in the brain that are associated with the disease processes of AD.Amyloid plaques, which are made up of fragments of a protein called beta-amyloid peptide mixed with a collection of additional proteins, remnants of neurons, and bits and pieces of other nerve cells.Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), found inside neurons, are abnormal collections of a protein called tau. Normal tau is required for healthy neurons. However, in AD, tau clumps together. As a result, neurons fail to function normally and eventually die.Loss of connections between neurons responsible for memory and learning. Neurons can't survive when they lose their connections to other neurons. As neurons die throughout the brain, the affected regions begin to atrophy, or shrink. By the final stage of AD, damage is widespread and brain tissue has shrunk significantly.

Treatment

Currently there are no medicines that can slow the progression of AD. However, four FDA-approved medications are used to treat AD symptoms. These drugs help individuals carry out the activities of daily living by maintaining thinking, memory, or speaking skills. They can also help with some of the behavioral and personality changes associated with AD. However, they will not stop or reverse AD and appear to help individuals for only a few months to a few years. Donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Reminyl) are prescribed to treat mild to moderate AD symptoms. Donepezil was recently approved to treat severe AD as well. The newest AD medication is memantine (Namenda), which is prescribed to treat moderate to severe AD symptoms.

Prognosis

In a very few families, people develop AD in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. This is known as "early onset" AD. These individuals have a mutation in one of three different inherited genes that causes the disease to begin at an earlier age. More than 90 percent of AD develops in people older than 65. This form of AD is called "late-onset" AD, and its development and pattern of damage in the brain is similar to that of early-onset AD. The course of this disease varies from person to person, as does the rate of decline. In most people with AD, symptoms first appear after age 65.We don't yet completely understand the causes of late-onset AD, but they probably include genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Although the risk of developing AD increases with age, AD and dementia symptoms are not a part of normal aging. There are also some forms of dementia that aren't related to brain diseases such as AD, but are caused by systemic abnormalities such as metabolic syndrome, in which the combination of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes causes confusion and memory loss.

Research

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) supports basic and translational research related to AD through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Current studies are investigating how the development of beta amyloid plaques damages neurons, and how abnormalities in tau proteins create the characteristic neurofibrillary tangles of AD. Other research is exploring the impact of risk factors associated with the development of AD, such as pre-existing problems with blood flow in the blood vessels of the brain. Most importantly, the NINDS supports a number of studies that are developing and testing new and novel therapies that can relieve the symptoms of AD and potentially lead to a cure.

View a list of studies currently seeking patients.

View more studies on this condition.

Read additional information from Medline Plus.

Organizations

Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)

National Institute on Aging
P.O. Box 8250

Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250

adear@nia.nih.gov

http://www.alzheimers.nia.nih.gov

Tel: 301-495-3311 800-438-4380

Fax: 301-495-3334

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663

Bethesda, MD 20892-9663

nimhinfo@nih.gov

http://www.nimh.nih.gov

Tel: 301-443-4513/866-415-8051 301-443-8431 (TTY)

Fax: 301-443-4279

Alzheimer's Association

National voluntary health organization committed to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s and helping those affected by the disease.

225 North Michigan Avenue
Floor 17

Chicago, IL 60601-7633

info@alz.org

http://www.alz.org

Tel: 312-335-8700 1-800-272-3900 (24-hour helpline) TDD: 312-335-5886

Fax: 866.699.1246

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

Works to provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia and to their caregivers and families thruogh member organizations dedicated to improving quality of life.

322 Eighth Avenue
7th Floor

New York, NY 10001

info@alzfdn.org

http://www.alzfdn.org

Tel: 866-AFA-8484 (232-8484)

Fax: 646-638-1546

Family Caregiver Alliance/ National Center on Caregiving

Supports and assists families and caregivers of adults with debilitating health conditions. Offers programs and consultation on caregiving issues at local, state, and national levels. Offers free publications and support online, including a national directory of publicly funded caregiver support programs.

180 Montgomery Street
Suite 1100

San Francisco, CA 94104

info@caregiver.org

http://www.caregiver.org

Tel: 415-434-3388 800-445-8106

Fax: 415-434-3508

Association for Frontotemporal Dementias (AFTD)

Non-profit organization that promotes and funds research into finding the cause and cure for frontotemporal dementias (FTD); provides information, education, and support to those affected by FTD and their caregivers; and sponsors professional health education programs related to FTD.

Radnor Station Building #2 Suite 200
290 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

info@FTD-Picks.org

http://www.FTD-Picks.org

Tel: 267-514-7221 866-507-7222

C-Mac Informational Services/Caregiver News [For Alzheimer's-Type Dementia Caregivers]

Nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organization that offers information about care for patients with Alzheimer’s-type dementia. Publishes and distributes a newsletter, cookbook, and the Caregiver’s Information Pack.

120 Clinton Lane

Cookeville, TN 38501-8946

caregiver_cmi@hotmail.com

http://www.caregivernews.org

National Respite Network and Resource Center

Information and referral service that assists and promotes the development of quality respite and crisis care programs; helps families locate respite and crisis care services in their communities; and sponsors advocacy and awareness efforts concerning respite care.

800 Eastowne Drive
Suite 105

Chapel Hill, NC 27514

http://www.archrespite.org

Tel: 919-490-5577 x222

Fax: 919-490-4905

American Health Assistance Foundation

Non-profit charitable organization dedicated to funding research and educating the public on Alzheimer's disease, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

22512 Gateway Center Drive

Clarksburg, MD 20871

info@ahaf.org

http://www.ahaf.org/alzheimers/

Tel: 301-948-3244 800-437-AHAF (2423)

Fax: 301-258-9454

Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (formerly, Institute for the Study of Aging)

Public charity whose mission is to accelerate the discovery and development of drugs to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer's disease, related dementias, and cognitive aging.

1414 Avenue of the Americas
Suite 1502

New York, NY 10019

info@alzdiscovery.org

http://www.alzdiscovery.org

Tel: 212-935-2402

Fax: 212-935-2408

John Douglas French Alzheimer's Foundation

Generates funds for Alzheimer’s at major California universities research targeted at areas of research typically not supported by Federal agencies. Unsolicited applications and/or letters of inquiry not accepted.

11620 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 270

Los Angeles, CA 90025

jdfaf@earthlink.net

http://www.jdfaf.org

Tel: 310-445-4650

Fax: 310-479-0516

Lewy Body Dementia Association

Supports those affected by Lewy body dementias and promotes research for a cure. Sponsors education and outreach programs.

P.O. Box 451429

Atlanta, GA 31148

lbda@lbda.org

http://www.lewybodydementia.org

Tel: Telephone: 404-935-6444 Helpline: 800-LEWYSOS (539-9767)

Fax: 480-422-5434

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

Federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. Committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service.

P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)

Danbury, CT 06813-1968

orphan@rarediseases.org

http://www.rarediseases.org

Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)

Fax: 203-798-2291

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NINDS Disorders is an index of neurological conditions provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). This valuable tool offers detailed descriptions, facts on treatment and prognosis, and patient organization contact information for over 250 identified neurological disorders.