Common manifestation of dementia, thought to
afflict one in 20 people over 65. Attacking
the brain's `grey matter', it is a disease of
mental processes rather than physical
function, characterized by memory loss and
progressive intellectual impairment. It was
first described by Alois Alzheimer 1906. The
cause is unknown, although a link with high
levels of aluminium in drinking water was
discovered 1989. It has also been suggested
that the disease may result from a defective
protein circulating in the blood. There is no
treatment, but recent insights into the
molecular basis of the disease may aid the
search for a drug to counter its effects.