Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease

Early signs of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating condition that often goes undiagnosed in elderly patients until they are suffering from severe cognitive impairment. For example, some studies show that 95 percent of patients are diagnosed four years after their symptoms begin. While an elderly patient’s doctor may notice physical symptoms such as weight loss or poor hygiene, other early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, such as depression, malaise and disordered thinking, may go unnoticed. Memory problems may be dismissed as a normal sign of aging, despite many scientists’ warnings that memory loss is not normal at any age. The earlier that Alzheimer’s is detected, the more its progress can be slowed with medication, which is most effective when used in the earliest stages of the disease. Unfortunately, by the time most Alzheimer’s patients begin their medication, a significant amount of neuronal degeneration has already occurred, severely limiting the effectiveness of the drugs.

Doctors often have difficulty diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease because the symptoms can be vague and easily attributable to other disease processes. Some scientists are attempting to boost their accuracy in detecting the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain by turning to technology. Doctors in Britain created a computerized test to check for memory impairment, which is one of the early signs of Alzheimer’s, and they plan to incorporate their program into many General Practitioners’ offices. Also, one group of researchers at Washington University used MRIs to detect structural changes in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients before symptoms even began. Previously, the only known changes in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients were plaques and tangles, which could only be diagnosed with an autopsy. Another group of researchers at UCLA found that diagnosing Alzheimer’s by using PET scans allowed for earlier and more accurate diagnosis. As a result of the MRI and PET findings, the National Institute on Aging instigated a longitudinal study in 2004 to track the development and course of Alzheimer’s disease in 800 adults over three years using the new technology. Recently, Medicare even decided to pay for pet scans for patients who are difficult to diagnosis. Hopefully, these exciting technological developments, which provide new ways to detect the early signs of Alzheimer’s, might allow physicians to stop the progression of the disease in the future.

For people without access to well-informed doctors or new technology, there are some early signs of Alzheimer’s disease that it is important to be aware of. Forgetting not only facts and figures but also familiar faces, the names of everyday objects and the location of household items are signs of cognitive impairment. Not knowing where you are or what day it is and not remembering how to do simple, everyday tasks like toasting bread or mailing a letter are also warning signs. Finally, being moody, depressed, and unable to perform everyday tasks could also be signs of a deeper problem. Seek the help of a professional if you or a loved one experiences any of these early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. The sooner a diagnosis is reached; the sooner treatment can begin, prolonging the length and quality of life.