Final answer:
Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is a progressive syndrome characterized by mental decline and memory loss. Alzheimer's is associated with amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, and symptoms worsen over time. The severity and persistence of symptoms distinguish Alzheimer's from normal aging.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dementia is indeed a progressive syndrome marked by a decline in mental abilities, including memory loss. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a well-known type of dementia, extensively studied since Solomon Carter Fuller's initial research. AD is highlighted by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, which contribute to the progressive decline of brain functions. Alzheimer's symptoms can range from disruptive memory loss, confusion about time or place, and personality changes, to severe impairments in communication and recognition in the advanced stages of the disease.
With the progression of AD, the damage to the brain becomes more extensive over time, as illustrated by comparisons between a healthy brain and an Alzheimer's-affected brain. The brain of an Alzheimer's patient shows overall shrinkage, particularly severe neuron loss in the hippocampus. The severity and longevity of cognitive symptoms such as disruptive memory loss and difficulty with planning and executing tasks are characteristic of Alzheimer's, as opposed to normal aging.