Alzheimer's disease is a common form of dementia affecting millions of people, especially the elderly. Two regions of the brain are particularly affected, often shrinking dramatically and accumulating large deposits of extracellular material. Based on your knowledge of memory, what two brain regions do you think these are? Explain.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the brain regions involved in memory: The two primary brain regions involved in memory that are affected in Alzheimer's disease are the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex.
2. Understand the role of the hippocampus: The hippocampus is crucial for forming new memories. In Alzheimer's disease, this region often shrinks, which correlates with the symptoms of memory loss and disorientation experienced by patients.
3. Examine the impact on the cerebral cortex: The cerebral cortex is responsible for higher cognitive functions, including thinking, perceiving, and understanding language. In Alzheimer's, the degeneration of the cerebral cortex leads to difficulties in thinking and processing complex tasks.
4. Learn about the accumulation of extracellular material: In Alzheimer's disease, abnormal deposits of proteins form amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which are particularly prevalent in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. These deposits disrupt cell function and communication.
5. Connect the symptoms with affected regions: By understanding which areas of the brain are affected and how, it becomes clearer why Alzheimer's disease leads to severe memory loss and cognitive decline, as these regions are integral to memory and cognitive processing.