Alzheimer's disease can be considered as the sixth major disease, particularly in the United States, that executes a number of lives each year. US authorities are putting hard efforts to outline and develop some efficient measures in order to combat the disease. The country spends good amount of money, more than $183 billion, to offer best care and standard for patients living with the terrible disease. Sources have anticipated that the aid for the money will be dragged to $1 trillion, most probably by the end of 2050. Alzheimer's disease (AD), also called Alzheimer disease, senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer's type, simply Alzheimer's, and folk-etymological names such as “old-timers' disease”, is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which becomes worse as it progresses, and eventually leads to death. It was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him. Most often, it is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier. In 2006, there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer's is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050. At present, the available medications for the disease are empowered to offer only modest benefit. Simultaneously, experts from all over the world have expressed enthusiasm on developing experimental treatments with a focus on the theory that Alzheimer's is a health condition caused due to gathering of a protein named amyloid. This particular protein is believed to harm brain cells to a significant level. Meanwhile, a team of researchers, from the University of California, has suggested using a blend of magnetic resonance imaging along with cerebrospinal fluid and neuropsychological testing in order to diagnose the Alzheimer's disease. While briefing the disease and its consequences, an Associate Professor of radiology and neurosciences, who is also a member of the Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative research team at UC San Diego, James Brewer emphasized on the need of more focused research work to address the problem. Besides this, the expert has also applauded the research findings and expressed confidence that they will play a role to develop treatments for the sufferers. “The good news is that we can partially reassure those folks who are negative on these tests, at least regarding their next three years. We have never been able to do that before”, added the neurologist. __
