(Choose your answers: then scroll to author’s answers and comments)

1. Alzheimer’s disease was identified by Dr. Alois Alzheimer in the year:

a 1861

b 1907

c 1958

2. The disease is the seventh leading cause of death and persons afflicted number:

a 5.1 million

b 8.2 million

c 3.9 million

3. The percentage of persons over 65 with Alzhimer’s disease is:

a 6%

b 13%

c 21%

4. Of all Alzheimer’s patients, the percentage living at home is:

a 70-80%

b 30-49%

c 50-60%

5. Hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease are:

a Beta amyloid plaques and tangles

b Frequent blood clots

c Respiratory challenges

6. By 2030 Alzheimer’s disease will cost Medicare almost as much as its present total budget or:

a $230 billion

b $400 billion

c $360 billion

7. The number of Americans who know someone with Alzheimer’s disease is:

a 20%

b 70%

c 50%

8. Promising research is underway to discover:

a Treatments to attack underlying causes

b Links of the disease to obesity

c Links of the disease to place of residence

9. The Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act of 2007 (now in Congress) is designed to:

a Provide tax credits for caregivers

b Double funding for Alzheimer’s research at the National Institutes of Health

c Require all Medicare patients to have Alzheimer’s testing

10. Demographics indicate the weight of caregiving falls largely on those born between:

a 1936-1954

b 1946-1964

c 1956-1974

Answers and Comments

1. (b) 1907 - This is the date of Dr. Alzheimer’s published work. The date 1906 is sometimes used for this question; it is the date of Alzheimer’s lecture on the diesease, the content of which was much the same as the published work.

2. (a) 5.1 million - This number represents identified cases; it is probably low due to undiagnosed cases. Projections are that the number will reach 16 million by 2050. Again, this is probably low because people are living longer making them more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s, 78 million baby boomers are “coming of age” for this disease, and it’s now burgeoning in younger demographics.

3. (b) 13% - Nearly 50% of people over 80 years of age have Alzheimer’s disease at some level.

4. (a) 70-80%

5. (a) Beta amyloid plaques and tangles - These abnormalities destroy brain cells as well as disrupt signals between neurons in the brain.

6. (b) $400 billion - The cost is increasing rapidly, now projected to reach $160 billion by 2010

7. (c) 50% - This is probably much too low, according to my informal queries in meetings, etc.

8. (a) Treatments to attack underlying causes

9. (b) Double funding for Alzheimer’s research at National Institutes of Health. This bill has other benefits as well and in July 2007 was approved by a Senate subcommittee. The bill’s status at this point (May, 2008) is unclear. a Family Assistance bill is also in the pipeline which would provide an enourmous boost to families caring for loved ones in their home. I am watching!

10. (b) 1946-1964 - This group includes people, many of whom are still employed and who have multiple family challenges.