Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a brain disorder that affects memory and thinking skills. Learn about the signs, causes, and treatments of Alzheimer's from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a federal agency that supports research and education on aging. Alzheimer disease, degenerative brain disorder that develops in mid-to-late adulthood. Alzheimer disease is characterized by a progressive and irreversible decline in memory and deterioration of other cognitive abilities. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of Alzheimer disease. Find information about Alzheimer’s disease causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and resources. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that causes memory loss and cognitive decline. It accounts for 60% to 80% of dementia cases in the United States and most people with Alzheimer’s ...