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Early-Onset Familial Alzheimer Disease, Laura J. Murphy

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis is an overwhelming and devastating diagnosis for both patients and families. Now imagine if this diagnosis was made at age 55. Instead of looking forward to retirement and grandchildren, these people are preparing for a debilitating disease that will rob them of their memory, cognitive and functional abilities. Early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease (EOFAD) affects people before the age of 65. Although extremely rare, some exhibit symptoms as early as in their 30s. One of the things most frustrating about this disease is so little is known about its cause. That and the fact there is no cure. …