Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. In 2026, it was estimated to affect ~7.4 million Americans with an associated cost of care of $409 billion. The latest available worldwide statistics are from 2020, estimating > 55 million people worldwide with associated costs of $1.3 trillion. These numbers are predicted to double every 20 years. Nearly two-thirds of patients affected by Alzheimer's disease are women. For more statistics, see the Facts and Figures page of the Alzheimer’s Association and Dementia Statistics.

Two proteins aggregate and kill brain cells in AD—amyloid β-protein (Aβ) and tau, which form the pathological hallmarks of the disease—amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, respectively.

See also Familial Alzheimer’s Disease