Undergraduate nursing students' knowledge of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias care

•The number of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) is increasing worldwide.•Nursing students need to acquire adequate knowledge and skills in ADRD care before becoming graduates.•Measuring students' actual level of knowledge of ADRD care allows educators to update and improve nursing curricula.•More years in the program, practice placements and more ADRD specific education are associated with higher knowledge scores.