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Auguste Deter
The first described case of what would later be known as Alzheimer's disease. -
Dr. Alois Alzheimer
German physician Alois Alzheimer, describes the medical case of Auguste Deter, a patient who had profound memory loss, unfounded suspicions about her family, and other worsening psychological changes. He saw dramatic shrinkage and abnormal depositis in and around her nerve cells in her brain after an autopsy was performed. -
Alzheimer's disease named
Emil Kraepelin, a German psychiatrist who worked with Dr. Alzheimer, first names "Alzheimer's Disease" in the eighth edition of his book Psychiatrie. -
Invention of Electron mcroscope allows for further study of the brain
In 1931, Germans Max Knoll and Ernst Ruska co-invent the electron microscope, which can magnify up to one million times. After WWII the electron microscope becomes common in major research settings, enabling scientists to study brain cells in more detail. -
Founding of National Institute on Aging
An act of Congress establishes the National Institute on Aging as one of the National Institutes of Health. The NIA is the primary federal agency in supporting Alzheimer's research. -
Alzheimer's Association founded
Alzheimer's Association is a non-profit voluntary health organization which focuses on care, support, and research for Alzheimer's disease. Mr. Jerome H. Stone was named as the founding president of Alzheimer's Association. -
National Alzheimer's disease month
Awareness of Alzheimer's disease increases, leading Congress to designate November 1983 as the first National Alzheimer's Disease Month. -
Beta-amyloid identified
Researchers George Glenner and Cai'ne Wong report identification of a cerebrovascular amyloid protein, known as beta-amyloid which is the chief component of Alzheimer's brain plaques and a prime suspect in triggering nerve cell damage. -
Tau protein identified
Researchers discover that tau protein is a key component of tangles which is the second pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and another prime suspect in nerve cell degeneration. -
First Alzheimer's drug trial
The Alzheimer's Association assists the NIA and Warner-Lambert Pharmaceutical Company, now known as Pfizer, in launching and recruiting participants for clinical trials of tacrine, the first drug specifically targeting symptoms of Alzheimer's disease -
First Alzheimer's drug approved by FDA
The Food and Drug Administration approves tacrine also known as Cognex as the first drug specifically targeting Alzheimer's memory and thinking symptoms. -
President Reagan's diagnosis
In an open letter to the American People, President Reagan shares that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. -
FDA approved Galantamine
Galantamine is used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. It works by increasing the amount of a certain natural substance in the brain that is needed for memory and thought. Galantamine may improve the ability to think and remember or slow the loss of these abilities in people who have Alzheimer's. -
National Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Study begins
An initiative to collect blood samples from families with several members who developed Alzheimer's disease late in life in order to identify additional Alzheimer's risk genes. -
International Society to Advance Alzheimer Research and Treatment formed
To further the work of the global Alzheimer's research community, the Alzheimer's Association creates the International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment. This is the first and only professional society dedicated to Alzheimer's and Dementia. -
Alzheimer's advances to sixth-leading cause of U.S. deaths
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases data showing that Alzheimer's disease is now our sixth-leading cause of death. -
President Obama signs National Alzheimer's Project Act into law
Groundbreaking legislation establishes the first ever framework for a national strategic plan to address the Alzheimer's crisis and to coordinate our response on multiple fronts, including research, care and support. -
Cognex discontinued in the U.S.
Shionogi made a business decision to discontinue Cognex
