Psychiatrist and neuroanatomist Alois Alzheimer presented “a peculiar
severe illness process of the cerebral cortex” to a group of psychiatrists
in Tübingen, Germany, in 1906.
severe illness process of the cerebral cortex” to a group of psychiatrists
in Tübingen, Germany, in 1906.
A 50-year-old woman with memory loss, delusions, hallucinations, anger, and
disorientation was the case’s subject; these symptoms worsened until her
unexpected death five years later.
Alzheimer identified different plaques on her brain at the autopsy. It is
still believed that these plaques, which are collections of amyloid-beta
protein, are what causes Alzheimer’s disease.
