Alzheimer's disease slowly steals a person's dignity and erases precious memories. The "Guide to Alzheimer's Disease," available on WebMD, explains that tasks become more difficult to complete, often leading to confusion and changes in behavior. The article further explains that the progression of the disease also causes difficulties for family and friends (1). To better cope with Alzheimer's disease, we need to better understand the disease. Alzheimer's disease is often visible during brain autopsies. In her book Can't Remember What I Forgot, Sue Halpern explains that Alois Alzheimer first discovered the protein tangles in the brain of a 56-year-old woman suspected of having Alzheimer's disease ( 115-116). In the book A Dignified Life, Virginia Bell and David Troxel note that this discovery led to many advances in the medical field once the results and diagnosis were published (Bell, Troxel 31). Plaques made of beta-amyloid were also present on the brain during the autopsy performed by Alois Alzheime (Halpern 116). According to the book Living with Alzheimer's, the Department of Health and Human Services states that up to 500,000 Americans develop early onset Alzheimer's disease. disease (21). It should further be noted that the age range for early onset is between the 40s and 50s, but in some cases as young as the 20s. The book goes on to say that the reason for early onset is currently unknown and is not considered hereditary (Living 21). A USA Today article notes that "the effects of Alzheimer's disease on all its victims can be devastating, but the youngest face it in the midst of active life" (Fackelmann 2A). The article goes on to explain the different symptoms and describes the expected prognosis in case of early onset; The progression of the disease continues to be the center of attention......n Medical Association May 12, 2010: 7 Living with Alzheimer's Disease: Resource Guide for Families and Caregivers. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 “The Changing Face of Alzheimer's Disease.” US News & World Report December 11, 2006: 70+. Sydney, Danny Rose. “Why Omega-3s are the key to beating Alzheimer’s.” Advertiser, The [Adelaide, Australia] 3 February 2010: 32 Newspaper Source. EBSCO. Internet. June 28, 2010. .Victoroff, Jeffrey Ivan. Saving Your Brain: The Revolutionary Plan to Boost Brain Power, Improve Memory, and Protect Against Aging and Alzheimer's Disease. New York: Bantam, 2002. Viña, Jose and Ana Lloret. "Why women suffer more from Alzheimer's disease than men: sex and mitochondrial toxicity of amyloid-β peptide." Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 20. (2010): 527-533. Premier Academic Research. EBSCO. Internet. June 30 2010.