Imagine a life where you don't recognize your family or friends. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It is a growing disease that damages mental functions and memory. Symptoms of the disease usually start slowly and worsen over time, interfering with daily tasks and lifestyle. Alzheimer's disease is the third leading cause of death. It has become "a significant health problem over the past twenty-five years due to increased lifespans and scientific recognition that significant memory loss is not a normal part of aging" ( Akbar 8). Although there is currently no cure, treatments are available for the symptoms of this disease. The progressive effect of Alzheimer's disease on older people is catastrophic and prevents them from leading a normal life. This disease presents interesting data. “Five percent of the population over sixty-five is affected. The incidence increases with age, such that at least fifteen to twenty percent of octogenarians are affected” (Akbar 9). The Alzheimer's Association has shown that every sixty-seven seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer's disease. Currently, approximately five million Americans are diagnosed with this disease. Often, it is older people who start showing signs around their sixties. Around 500,000 people die each year from Alzheimer's disease. According to researchers, one in three elderly people dies from Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, women are more likely to develop this disease because they live longer and lose mitochondrial function. In fact, two thirds... middle of paper ......z.org/alzheimers_disease_4719.asp>. Editorial team. “TREM2 variant associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk.” The New England Journal of Medicine January 10, 2013 Fairfield, Hannah. “For older people, overlapping diseases. » The New York Times April 15, 2013 Firth, Shannon. “Blood test for Alzheimer’s disease.” US News and World Report March 10, 2014 Glass, Jon. “Managing unpredictable behaviors in people with Alzheimer’s disease.” WebMD.com. March 13, 2012. WebMD, LLC. March 18. 2014