Definition of Alzheimer's. 1  Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. Origin of the term Alzheimer's disease dates back to 1906 when Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, presented a case history before a medical meeting of a 51-year-old woman who suffered from a rare brain disorder. 2  A brain autopsy identified the plaques and tangles that today characterize Alzheimer's disease.
Since the release of the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, on 30 June 1997, the books have gained immense popularity, critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide.
Sponsored Links. J.K. Rowling made history with her Harry Potter series, and now she's back with a dramatically different novel, The Casual Vacancy, her first book for adult audiences. In honor of the milestone, a look at her career by the numbers: 1997: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, first in the series, is published in the United Kingdom. 1998: The book is published in the U.S. as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.