Alzheimer’s disease is widely recognized as a progressive neurological disorder that impacts millions globally, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline. While its prevalence and devastating effects are broadly understood, the origin of its name is a lesser-known aspect of its history. The disease bears the name of the individual who first identified its distinct pathological features, connecting a modern health challenge to a specific scientific breakthrough.
The Person Behind the Name
The disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German psychiatrist and neuropathologist born in 1864 in Marktbreit, Bavaria. He pursued his medical education at universities in Berlin, Tübingen, and Würzburg, earning his medical degree in 1887. In 1888, Dr. Alzheimer began his career at the Municipal Asylum for Mentally Ill and Epileptic Patients in Frankfurt am Main, where he studied mental illnesses and brain pathology.
During his 14 years in Frankfurt, he collaborated with neurologist Franz Nissl, focusing on the anatomy and pathology of the cerebral cortex. This period was formative for his expertise in neuropathology, the study of nervous system diseases. Dr. Alzheimer later joined the influential psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin in Munich in 1903, where he continued his research in a newly established laboratory focused on brain science.
The Landmark Discovery and Naming
The pivotal case that led to the naming of Alzheimer’s disease began in 1901 when Alois Alzheimer encountered Auguste Deter at the Frankfurt asylum. Deter, then 51 years old, exhibited severe symptoms including profound memory loss, disorientation, hallucinations, and difficulty with language. Her condition progressed, showing significant behavioral changes and cognitive decline.
Upon Auguste Deter’s death in April 1906, Dr. Alzheimer performed a post-mortem examination of her brain. Using newly developed staining techniques, he made microscopic observations: the presence of abnormal clumps, now known as amyloid plaques, and twisted bundles of fibers, termed neurofibrillary tangles. These unique formations were distinct from normal aging processes and represented the pathological indicators of her atypical dementia.
Dr. Alzheimer presented his findings on this “peculiar disease of the cerebral cortex” at a scientific conference in Tübingen in November 1906. Despite the significance of his observations, the presentation initially received little attention from the audience. However, his mentor, Emil Kraepelin, recognized the importance of Alzheimer’s work. Kraepelin formally named the condition “Alzheimer’s disease” in the 8th edition of his influential textbook “Psychiatrie” in 1910.