The numbers are staggering -- more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. By 2050, that figure could increase to 16 million because people are living longer and getting older.

Alzheimer's disease is degenerative and incurable. According to the Alzheimer's Association, the disease causes a buildup of "plaques and tangles" within the brain, disrupting cell growth. As nerve cells are damaged and die, memory loss tends to be the first indicator of the disease, followed by difficulty communicating and responding to an environment. While most Alzheimer's patients are over the age of 65, early-onset Alzheimer's makes up 5% of the national count.

Dementia and Alzheimer's disease are at the heart of countless research studies. Though there is still a great deal of mystery surrounding these disorders, advancements are being made. According to the Alzheimer's Association 90% of the information we have about Alzheimer's has been discovered within the last 20 years. We do a lot about Alzheimer's but still there is no known cause and it can only be slowed.

Smart Talk checks in on Alzheimer's disease from time-to-time to get the latest news and if there has been progress in research or treatment. That's what we'll do on Friday's show.

Appearing on the program are neuropsychologist Dr. Paul Eslinger of the Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Penn State Hershey School of Medicine along with Clay Jacobs, Vice President of Programs and Services from the Alzheimer's Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter.