Complain about a product or service

Alzheimer's Disease Reveals Itself Earlier, Study Finds

August 1, 2005
There is still no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but researchers now say it may be possible to identify its onset a full decade before doctors diagnose it in most patients. A new report says the clues include lagging attention spans and other subtle signs, in addition to growing forgetfulness.

• Too Much Selenium Can Increase Cholesterol • Money Management Problems Could Be Alzheimer's Warning • Mediterranean Diet Linked With Lower Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease • High Cholesterol In Midlife Raises Risk Of Late-Life Dementia • Some Blood Pressure Drugs May Help Protect Against Dementia • Study Suggests Earlier Alzheimer's Treatment • Alzheimer's Cases Rise Among "Oldest Old" • Researchers Find Caffeine Effective Alzheimer’s Treatment • Landmark Alzheimer's Drug Cleared For Clinical Trials • Blood Test May Diagnose Alzheimer's • Diet May Be Factor in Memory Retention • Insulin May Combat Alzheimer's • Moderate Drinking Can Reduce Risks of Alzheimer's • Daily Pill Said To Stop Alzheimer's • Low Levels of 'Good Cholesterol' Linked to Memory Loss, Dementia Risk • Chemical in Celery May Fight Alzheimer's • Dementia Linked To Obesity • Studies Find Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer's --- • Index to all Alzheimer's stories

Early identification of Alzheimer’s onset, researchers say, could allow a patient to receive treatment and therapies that could delay it. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative condition of the brain that ultimately robs its victims of all memory function.

William Thies, a spokesman for the Alzheimer’s Association, says the report is important since the number of people with the disease is expected to grow in proportion to the growing population of aging Baby Boomers.

The Swedish study analyzed the results of 47 previous studies, finding a pattern of slight brain malfunctions in people who eventually developed Alzheimer’s. These malfunctions include problems with thinking and other cognitive skills, not just in retaining memory.

They were able to single out over 1,200 older people who had taken cognitive tests years before developing Alzheimer’s. They compared them with more than 9,000 older people who had taken the same tests, but who had not developed the disease.

The researchers found a pattern in the tests. The people who would later develop Alzheimer’s displayed small problems in their cognitive skills, such as the inability to carry out two projects at once or make future plans. Those who would remain healthy displayed no such trouble with their thinking abilities.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.