ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE | Fast facts

About 350 people took part in the annual Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk in Boardman Township Park on Saturday to raise awareness of and money for research, as well as to help those in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties living with the disease. Some information about Alzheimer’s:

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological brain disorder first described in 1906 and is the most common form of dementia.

The progressive, irreversible disease impairs mental functioning. It typically starts as mild forgetfulness and advances to widespread loss of mental abilities.

Over many years, the person suffers a decline of intellectual abilities and undergoes changes in personality and behavior.

An estimated 35 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s worldwide; about 5.3 million in the U.S. have it.

The disease is the fifth- leading cause of death in those age 65 and older.

Alzheimer’s-related deaths rose 46 percent from 2000 to 2006.

It’s estimated that Alzheimer’s disease will cost more than $172 billion this year in health and long-term care as well as hospice services.

Causes are not fully understood, though most scientists agree it’s the result of genetic factors, environmental influences and complex biological processes in the brain over many years.

Source: Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation