how does the disease affect the brain?

Alzheimer’s disease has its seat in the brain. It attacks the nerve cells of neurons. “In a normal brain, information flows freely between them. In Alzheimer’s disease, for some unexplained reason, a protein accumulates, aggregates to form balls, called amyloid plaques”, explains Damien Mascret, doctor and journalist at France Télévisions. These plaques, which are deposited on the neurons, prevent good communication between them.

“In the brain, it is primarily the hippocampus, at the heart of the hemispheres, which plays an essential role in memory”, continues the doctor. Thus, with the disease, it is difficult to create new memories, while retaining very specific childhood memories. “When the disease spreads in the brain, other areas are affected, causing disorders of language, reasoning, mood, orientation”, adds Damien Mascret. Today, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but research wants to slow down its development.