Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, yet it is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent, cure, or even slow its progression. It is an irreversible degeneration of the brain that causes disruptions in memory, cognition, personality, and other functions and inevitably leads to death. More than 5 million Americans aged 65 and older are thought to have Alzheimer’s disease. This number is set to grow dramatically, as baby boomers are turning 65 at a rate of 10,000 people per day. By 2025 that number will likely be 7 million, and it will rise to nearly 14 million people living with Alzheimer’s by 2050.
