Commemorative Issue Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America: Understanding and Treating Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the lives of millions of people and their families around the globe. It results in a relentless decline in cognitive function, loss of judgment, change in personality, and neuropsychiatric and behavioral symptoms. Pathologic features characteristic of AD are deposition in the brain of two types of misfolded proteins: β-amyloid in the form of extracellular plaques and tau protein in the form of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. The causal mechanisms of AD are likely multi-factorial but are not yet completely understood. While we are making inroads, especially in the development of more accurate biomarkers for diagnosis, there is no curative treatment.  The following compilation delves into the clinical and pathophysiologic aspects of AD while also addressing standard and cutting-edge treatments. Lifestyle and diet as modifiable risk factors are discussed while social and caregiver impact are given much-needed attention. The expert authors bring their unique insights and perspectives to one of the major health challenges of our time. This work serves as a repository for our current state of knowledge in the field of AD and as a resource for both health professionals and the general public.