Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is a neurodegenerative condition that gradually affects memory, reasoning, communication and the ability to manage everyday activities. As the disease progresses, symptoms often become more noticeable and may interfere with work, relationships, safety and independence.

Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care treats Alzheimer’s disease as part of its Memory & Cognitive Disorders Program, where specialists from Baptist Health Kenneth C. Griffin Neuroscience Institute and Marcus Neuroscience Institute work together to evaluate memory disorders and build individualized care plans.

Symptoms can begin subtly and worsen over time. Early signs may be mistaken for normal aging, but persistent or progressive changes deserve medical evaluation.

Common symptoms include:

• Trouble remembering recently learned information
• Repeating questions or conversations
• Difficulty planning, organizing or solving problems
• Trouble finding words or following conversations
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Poor judgment or difficulty completing familiar tasks
• Changes in mood, personality or behavior
• Increasing confusion about time, place or events

Not everyone develops symptoms at the same pace. Some people first notice memory changes, while others may have more prominent language, judgment or behavioral concerns.

Alzheimer’s disease is associated with abnormal changes in the brain, including the buildup of proteins that disrupt normal brain cell function and communication. Over time, this damage leads to loss of brain cells and shrinkage in areas involved in memory and thinking.

Risk factors may include:

• Older age
• Family history of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia
• Certain inherited genetic factors
• Cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol
• Prior stroke or other cerebrovascular disease
• Traumatic brain injury
• Limited physical activity or poor sleep

Because other conditions can also affect memory and thinking, it is important to rule out problems such as stroke, medication effects, depression or other neurological disorders before confirming Alzheimer’s disease.

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease usually involves several steps rather than one single test. The goal is to understand the pattern of symptoms, measure cognitive change and rule out other possible causes.

Evaluation may include a neurological exam, memory testing, speech and language assessment, lab work and formal neuropsychology evaluation when needed. Imaging may also play an important role. Depending on the situation, a specialist may recommend MRI, CT scan or PET-CT scan to look for brain changes or other conditions that may be contributing to symptoms.

A thorough diagnosis can help distinguish Alzheimer’s disease from other causes of dementia, including Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, vascular cognitive impairment and mixed dementia.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but treatment can help manage symptoms, support quality of life and address safety and caregiving needs. Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care’s Memory & Cognitive Disorders Program offers personalized care plans that may change as the disease progresses.

Treatment options may include:

• Medications to help manage memory and cognition symptoms
• Infusion-based treatment when clinically appropriate
• Cognitive programs and structured brain activities
• Speech, physical or occupational therapy
• Treatment for mood, sleep or behavioral symptoms
• Caregiver education, counseling and support resources
• Ongoing follow-up with neurology and related specialists

Some patients may also be candidates for research opportunities through Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care’s Clinical Trials Search. When research is appropriate, it is discussed as part of a broader care plan rather than as a replacement for established treatment.

As Alzheimer’s disease advances, complications can affect both the person with the condition and those helping provide care. These complications may develop gradually and often require changes in supervision, home setup and medical support.

Potential complications include wandering, falls, medication errors, poor nutrition, dehydration, sleep disruption, agitation, swallowing problems and increasing dependence for daily activities. In later stages, communication can become more limited, and people may need more comprehensive support for safety and comfort.

There is no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, but healthy lifestyle habits may help support brain health and reduce risk.

Steps that may help include:

• Managing blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
• Staying physically active
• Following a heart-healthy eating pattern
• Getting enough sleep
• Staying socially and mentally engaged
• Avoiding smoking
• Seeking care for hearing loss, depression or other conditions that can affect cognition

Because brain and vascular health are closely connected, managing stroke risk factors and other chronic conditions may also be an important part of prevention.

If you have noticed persistent memory or cognition changes in yourself or someone you love, the next step is a structured evaluation.

To schedule a visit with a Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care provider, fill out an appointment request form or call 833-596-3876.

Early evaluation can help clarify what is causing symptoms, identify supportive treatment options and connect families with the right level of care sooner.