Alzheimer's disease
or Alz·hei·mer disease
[ ahlts-hahy-merz, alts-, awlts- ]
/ ˈɑlts haɪ mərz, ˈælts-, ˈɔlts- /
noun Pathology.
a common form of dementia, believed to be caused by changes in the brain, usually beginning in late middle age, characterized by memory lapses, confusion, emotional instability, and progressive loss of mental ability.
Also called
Alz·hei·mer’s.
Origin of Alzheimer's disease
named after Alois
Alzheimer (1864–1915), German neurologist, who described it in 1907
British Dictionary definitions for alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease
/ (ˈæltsˌhaɪməz) /
noun
a disorder of the brain resulting in a progressive decline in intellectual and physical abilities and eventual dementia
Often shortened to: Alzheimer's
Word Origin for Alzheimer's disease
C20: named after A.
Alzheimer (1864–1915), German physician who first identified it
Medical definitions for alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease
[ älts′hī-mərz, ălts′-, ôlts′- ]
n.
A degenerative disease of the brain, associated with the development of abnormal tissues and protein deposits in the cerebral cortex and characterized by confusion, disorientation, memory failure, speech disturbances, and the progressive loss of mental capacity.
Scientific definitions for alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease
[ äls′hī-mərz ]
A progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, commonly affecting the elderly, and associated with the development of amyloid plaques in the cerebral cortex. It is characterized by confusion, disorientation, memory failure, speech disturbances, and eventual dementia. The cause is unknown. Alzheimer's disease is named for its identifier, German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915).
Cultural definitions for alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease
[ (ahlts-heye-muhrz, alts-heye-muhrz, awlts-heye-muhrz) ]
A disease in which mental capacity decreases because of the breakdown of brain cells.
notes for Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is a major cause of loss of intellectual function in middle-aged and elderly people.