Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease, often referred to simply as Alzheimer's, is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that typically begins slowly but worsens as time passes and is the leading cause of 70% of cases of dementia.

Causes and Symptoms

While the exact cause of most cases of Alzheimer's is unknown, several cases have been proven to be caused by genetic factors. Similarly to schizophrenia, the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's is higher if there is a long family history of the disease. Other factors include head injuries, depression and hypertension.

The most common symptom of Alzheimer's is short-term memory loss. As the disease advances, symptoms include language problems, disorientation, mood swings, loss of motivation, neglect of self care and issues with behavior. As the patient's condition worsens, they tend to withdraw from friends and family. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, eventually resulting in death.

There is no cure for Alzheimer's, however, a number of treatments have been found to improve symptoms of the disease.

On Criminal Minds

Alzheimer's was featured twice on the show before it became a major plot element in the latter half of Season Twelve.

The following characters suffer from Alzheimer's on the show:

Non-Criminal

• The former father-in-law of SSA Aaron Hotchner, Roy Brooks, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's one week prior to "A Place at the Table", which caused him to try to break into his old store, believing he was opening up for the day, despite having retired from the store years prior.
• In a subplot in Season Eleven, Spencer Reid took a brief leave of absense from the BAU and went to visit his mother, Diana. During a standoff, he revealed that his mother was showing signs of early onset dementia, which would likely progress to Alzheimer's. He also mentions that Diana did not immediately recognize him when he visited her. When Diana reappeared in Season Twelve, it was confirmed that she had developed Alzheimer's and Reid was searching for a way to treat his mother's illness.

Criminal

• Dormant serial killer Lee Mullens, a.k.a. "The Butcher", developed Alzheimer's which left him unable to remember the murders he committed from 1984 to 1993. This prompted him to commit a new string of murders with his son, Colby Bachner, in an attempt to recreate his old ones and help him keep his memories.