This brochure provides information on Alzheimer's disease by examining who gets Alzheimer's disease and what to expect when someone has Alzheimer's disease. Abnormal brain tissue findings are discussed and three clinical features of Alzheimer's disease are listed: dementia; insidious onset of symptoms; and exclusion of all other specific causes of dementia as determined by history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and psychometric and other studies. Diagnosis by exclusion is explained and the importance of a comprehensive clinical evaluation which includes a thorough general medical workup, a neurological examination, and a psychiatric evaluation is emphasized. A section on the search for the cause of Alzheimer's disease briefly explains five prominent theories about the cause: (1) the blood vessel theory; (2) the slow virus theory; (3) the autoimmune theory; (4) chemical theories involving deficiencies and toxic excesses; and (5) the genetic theory. Treatment of Alzheimer's disease is discussed and hope for the future through research is described. (NB)