Doctors Debunk 13 Alzheimer’s Myths

For starters, a memory lapse doesn't necessarily mean you have Alzheimer's disease

Brain scans of a patient with Alzheimer's disease Atthapon Raksthaput/Shutterstock

Medically reviewed by Dr. Ari Magill

First described by Alois Alzheimer in 1906, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurologic disorder that disrupts memory and thinking. Despite understanding a lot about its symptoms, two big questions remain: What causes Alzheimer’s? When will there be a definitive cure for AD? Unfortunately, we don’t have one cause or a known cure. But based on what science has shown us, AD likely develops from an interaction between your aging brain, genes, lifestyle, and environment.