Familial Alzheimer's disease

Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is a rare, inherited form of Alzheimer’s that typically develops earlier in life, often before age 65. It results from genetic mutations passed down within families, which lead to the abnormal buildup of proteins in the brain that cause nerve cells to die. This progressive brain decline impairs memory, thinking, and behavior. Since it runs in families, individuals with a family history of FAD have a higher risk of developing the disease. Unlike the more common late-onset Alzheimer’s, FAD is directly linked to specific genetic changes and generally has a faster progression.