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How many people in America are estimated to have Alzheimer's disease?

Researchers have concluded that 10 percent of people over age 65 have Alzheimer's disease, including nearly 50 percent of people over age 85. The National Institute on Aging estimates that 4 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. However, there is some disagreement on these figures within the medical community.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive condition in which nerve cells in the brain degenerate and the brain tissue shrinks. Although the cause is unknown, some theorize that it is toxic poisoning by a metal such as aluminum. Others believe it to be of genetic origin.

There are three stages of Alzheimer's disease. In the first stage the person becomes forgetful. In the second stage the person experiences severe memory loss and disorientation, lack of concentration, loss of ability to think of a particular word...

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