G30-G32: Other degenerative diseases of the nervous system

G30: Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder characterized by gradually worsening problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia — a decline in cognitive ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease affects the parts of the brain that involve thought, memory, and language. The onset is slow and the symptoms get worse over time, often to a point where individuals struggle to carry out simple tasks. A typical early symptom is trouble remembering recent events or conversations. As the disease progresses, memory impairments worsen and symptoms can include disorientation, mood and behavior changes, confusion about events, time or place, unfounded suspicions about family, friends, and professional caregivers, more serious memory loss, difficulty speaking, swallowing, and walking. The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not known, but it is likely to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.