The history of dementia is probably as old as humanity itself. Considering demographic trends, shifting age ranges within older age groups, and increasing average life expectancy at birth the number of dementia patients will skyrocket as predicted already in our days. This study reviews the early key players in the field, attitudes towards dementia, and the evolution of its concept from antiquity to the work of Alois Alzheimer, who laid the foundation of modern dementia research. K ulcsszavak: demencia, Alzheimer-kór, pszichiátriai történelem