Management of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease represents the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Current estimates suggest that nearly 50% of those over age 85 years have the disorder. Many gaps still exist in our understanding of its etiology and management. Scientific discoveries that once seemed to promise effective treatments have not lived up to our expectations. There are, however, many therapeutic interventions (environmental and pharmacologic) that can greatly enhance the quality of the lives of patients with Alzheimer's disease and that of their families.