Health A-Z

Medical Content Created by the Faculty of the
Harvard Medical School

Alzheimer's Disease

Symptoms

In the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease, new or recent memories are difficult to recall. The person will find it hard to learn and retain new information. Eventually, older or more distant memories are gradually lost. Other symptoms may appear, including difficulty expressing thoughts as spoken words, difficulty carrying out simple instructions and difficulty interpreting familiar faces or other well-known objects.

A person with early Alzheimer's disease may not be able to plan meals, manage money, remember to keep doors locked or take medicines. He or she also may lose your sense of direction and get lost while driving or walking, even in a familiar neighborhood.

A person with early Alzheimer's disease usually is able to feed, bathe, dress and groom without help. Two thirds of people develop psychological problems, such as personality changes, irritability, anxiety or depression. When these types of symptoms appear before the disease is diagnosed, relationships with family members and friends can become strained.

As Alzheimer's disease progresses to its middle and late stages, the affected individual may have delusions (irrational beliefs, especially about being persecuted or having your belongings stolen) and hallucinations (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or being touched by something that isn't really there). The person may become aggressive or may begin to wander away from home if left alone.