The main risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is increased age. There are also genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Most patients develop Alzheimer's disease after age 70. However, 2%-5% of patients develop the disease in the fourth or fifth decade of life (40s or 50s). At least half of these early onset patients have inherited gene mutations associated with their Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, the children of a patient with early onset Alzheimer's disease who has one of these gene mutations has a 50% risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

There is also a genetic risk for late onset cases. A relatively common form of a gene located on chromosome 19 is associated with late onset Alzheimer's disease. In the majority of Alzheimer's disease cases, however, no specific genetic risks have yet been identified.

Early symptoms: memory problems; mild personality changes, such as less spontaneity, apathy, and a tendency to withdraw from social interactions;

Late symptoms: problems in abstract thinking and in other intellectual functions; confusion & disorientation; unable to engage in conversation, erratic in mood, uncooperative, and lose bladder and bowel control; Incapability of caring for themselves;

Hope this helps.
Source(s):
http://www.medicinenet.com/alzheimers_disease/page3.htm#toce

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