The End of Memory: A Natural History of Aging and Alzheimer's

The End of Memory traces the history of Alzheimer's disease from its first description by German psychologist and neurologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 through the twenty-first century. Jay Ingram examines how the disease affects the brain, causing victims to lose their memories, cognitive abilities, and ultimately their lives. Despite a century of scientific research, millions worldwide remain affected by Alzheimer's, and no cure currently exists. Ingram's account covers the disease's progression through medical history, explains the science of plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer's, and profiles researchers working to understand and combat it. The book presents a biography of the disease itself, documenting both historical understanding and contemporary scientific efforts to find treatment.