Plot Synopsis

"The Alzheimer's Project" is a three-night, four-part series with supplemental information and film available online that takes a closer look at the disease, some recent scientific advances, and the families who are affected by Alzheimer's. From the promotional video for the project: "As many as five million men and women in this country may have Alzheimer's. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. [and] is the 2nd most feared illness in America...behind cancer." Based on a 2009 Harris poll, in conjunction with this series, the survey found that 54% of the U.S. population is affected by Alzheimer's in some way. With numbers like that, it's no wonder HBO is addressing the disease with these episodes: "The Memory Loss Tapes," "Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?" (with Maria Shriver), "Momentum in Science" and "Caregivers." This series is presented by the same team behind HBO's 2007 "Addiction" project.