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Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a significant loss of memory and cognitive function due to the progressive degeneration of brain cells. It primarily affects older adults and is characterized by symptoms such as forgetfulness, confusion about time and place, difficulty recognizing familiar people, and challenges in problem-solving or completing everyday tasks. As the disease progresses, individuals may also experience changes in mood and behavior.

In Alzheimer's disease, the hallmark features are the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which lead to neuronal loss. This neurodegeneration manifests in various cognitive deficits, including impairments in memory, language, and reasoning skills, which are key indicators of the disease.

Other disorders do not primarily present with significant memory loss and cognitive decline as the main symptoms. For example, multiple sclerosis is characterized by neurological symptoms related to myelin damage in the central nervous system but does not primarily affect memory in the same way Alzheimer's does. Parkinson's disease mainly affects movement and can include cognitive decline, but the prominent feature is primarily motor dysfunction. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis primarily affects motor function resulting from the degeneration of motor neurons, with less emphasis on cognitive decline. Therefore, Alzheimer's disease stands out among these options for its specific and significant impact on memory and cognition.