Alzheimer's Disease Definition

ältshī-mərz, ălts-, ôlts-, ôlz-

noun

A degenerative disease of the brain, seen primarily in elderly people and associated with the development of abnormal tissues and protein deposits in the cerebral cortex, and characterized by disorientation, memory failure, speech disturbances, and the progressive loss of mental capacity.

American Heritage

A progressive, irreversible disease characterized by degeneration of the brain cells and commonly leading to severe dementia.

Webster's New World

A degenerative disease of the brain, occurring chiefly in elderly people and characterized by disorientation, memory failure, speech disturbances, and the progressive loss of mental capacity. It is associated with the formation of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the cerebral cortex and loss of neurons.

American Heritage Medicine

(neurology, pathology) A disorder involving loss of mental functions resulting from brain tissue changes; senile dementia of Alzheimer's type.

Wiktionary

Origin of Alzheimer's Disease

Named after Alois Alzheimer (June 14, 1864 - December 19, 1915), a German neurologist who described the disease in 1906.

From Wiktionary
After Alois Alzheimer (1864–1915), German neurologist

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition