Reporters: Suki Chow, Karen Kwok, Shannon Lam, Oneal Li
Alzheimer’s disease, also called senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) and primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (PDDAT) is a degenerative brain disease. It is the most common form of dementia. This incurable and terminal disease was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him. Most often, it is diagnosed in people over 65-years-old, although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer’s disease can occur as early as 50-years-old. In 2006, there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050.
Meeting Mrs Gwen Kao
Varsity spoke with Mrs Gwen Kao, wife of Professor Charles Kao, Nobel Laureate in Physics. In 2004, Professor Kao was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The disease greatly affected the lives of Professor Kao and his family members. Mrs Kao tells Varsity about her role as a caregiver for Professor Kao.
