Health condition
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is the commonest cause of dementia, gradually eroding recent memory first - an early, accurate diagnosis brings treatment, planning time and support that genuinely change its course for families.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Earliest change is usually loss of recent memory - repeating questions, forgetting conversations
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Diagnosis combines cognitive testing, brain imaging and exclusion of reversible causes
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Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine ease symptoms; new disease-modifying antibodies are emerging
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Specialist: a consultant neurologist or old-age psychiatrist in a memory clinic
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
Alzheimer's begins quietly, with the hippocampus - the brain's recorder of new events - failing first: recent conversations evaporate while distant memories stay vivid, questions repeat, and appointments slip. Over years, word-finding, navigation, decision-making and daily skills follow, though personality and social graces are often preserved well into the illness.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
Diagnosis rests on the history, cognitive testing and MRI, with newer biomarker tests able to confirm Alzheimer's biology where the picture is unclear. Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil and, later, memantine offer meaningful symptomatic benefit; disease-modifying amyloid antibodies are beginning to reach selected patients; and structured support - from cognitive stimulation to carer planning, lasting power of attorney and driving advice - is every bit as important as medication. In many parts of the UK, routine NHS referrals for this kind of problem currently take 20-45+ weeks, whereas an initial appointment with a private consultant is typically available within around two weeks.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant neurologist. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Alzheimer's disease.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What is Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, causing progressive decline in memory, thinking, and daily functioning due to gradual damage to brain cells.
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What causes Alzheimer's disease?
It results from abnormal protein build-up in the brain (amyloid plaques and tau tangles), which progressively damages and destroys brain cells, though what triggers this process isn't fully understood.
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What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?
Early symptoms often include difficulty remembering recent events or conversations, progressing over time to more significant memory loss, confusion, language difficulties, and changes in personality or behaviour.
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Is Alzheimer's disease serious?
Yes, it is a progressive, life-limiting condition that gradually affects all areas of thinking and daily function, though good support and care can significantly help quality of life throughout the illness.
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Is Alzheimer's disease hereditary?
Most cases are not directly inherited, though family history does modestly increase risk; a small number of early-onset cases before age 65 are linked to specific inherited genetic mutations.
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Can Alzheimer's disease be treated?
There is no cure, but medications can help manage symptoms for a period, and newer treatments may modestly slow early-stage disease progression in carefully selected patients.
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How is Alzheimer's disease managed?
Management includes medication where appropriate, structured routines, cognitive stimulation activities, support for carers, and planning ahead for future care needs as the condition progresses.
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How long do people live with Alzheimer's disease?
The disease typically progresses over several years, often eight to twenty years from diagnosis depending on age at diagnosis and individual factors, though this varies considerably between individuals.
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Alzheimer's disease vs other types of dementia — what's the difference?
Alzheimer's disease typically causes gradual memory-predominant decline, while other dementias like vascular dementia often show more stepwise decline linked to strokes, and Lewy body dementia may feature more prominent movement or visual hallucination symptoms; accurate diagnosis helps guide the most appropriate management.
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When should I see a doctor about possible Alzheimer's disease, and how quickly can I be seen privately?
See a doctor if you or a family member notice concerning progressive memory or cognitive changes. NHS memory clinic referral can take several weeks to months, while private specialist assessment is often available within about two weeks.