A plain-English guide to how Alzheimer’s disease progresses, based on the Global Deterioration Scale (Reisberg, 7 stages). Understand each stage, what changes, and where treatment fits.
In short: Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia are commonly described in 7 stages using the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS). The stages map the slow progression from normal cognition through mild, moderate and severe dementia.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 — No decline | Normal function; no memory problems on examination. |
| Stage 2 — Very mild decline | Occasional forgetfulness (names, where items were placed) typical of normal ageing; not detectable clinically. |
| Stage 3 — Mild decline | Noticeable to family: word-finding, repeating questions, losing objects, reduced work performance. Often the point of an MCI diagnosis. |
| Stage 4 — Moderate decline (early dementia) | Clear difficulty with finances, planning and complex tasks; reduced memory of recent events. Diagnosis is usually clear here. |
| Stage 5 — Moderately severe | Help needed with daily activities; trouble recalling address, phone number or the date. Still recognises family. |
| Stage 6 — Severe (middle dementia) | Help required with dressing, toileting and eating; personality and behavioural changes; may not recognise faces and needs constant supervision. |
| Stage 7 — Very severe (late dementia) | Loss of speech and movement; full-time care needed for all activities. |
Source: Reisberg B et al., Global Deterioration Scale (GDS). Staging by a clinician with cognitive testing. Staging is a clinical assessment — only a qualified specialist can stage your condition.
Conventional, stage-appropriate treatment is the foundation for Alzheimer’s disease. Stem-cell therapy is investigational for this condition — not an approved cure. For an honest, sourced look at the evidence, cost and open trials, see stem cell therapy for Alzheimer's Disease and what the success-rate data really shows.
Alzheimer’s disease is typically described in 7 stages using the Global Deterioration Scale (Reisberg, 7 stages). The stages chart how the condition progresses; the pace varies a lot between individuals.
The most advanced stage is “Very severe (late dementia)” — Loss of speech and movement; full-time care needed for all activities.
Stem-cell therapy for Alzheimer's Disease is investigational, not an approved cure — see our honest, sourced overview of stem cell therapy for Alzheimer's Disease (evidence, cost and trials) before considering it.
StemCellAtlas is your guide to stem-cell therapy: what the evidence shows, which conditions are treated, and the real all-in cost by country — typically €3,000–8,000 with our partner Stem Plus (Sofia), Europe's lowest-cost EU destination, versus $15,000–35,000 in the US.
Get an honest assessment