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How To Detect Alzheimer Disease

Risk Factors And Symptoms

Detect and prevent Alzheimers disease before memory loss | Bernard Hanseeuw | TEDxUCLouvain

Alzheimers disease isnt part of the normal aging process, but the risk of developing it increases after age 65, and its estimated that about one-third of all people over age 85 have the disease. In early-onset Alzheimers disease, symptoms appear before age 65. Women are more likely than men to have the condition, partly because women live longer, on average.

Doctors dont know exactly why the disease arises in certain people, but changes in the brain may start a decade or more before symptoms become apparent. Research suggests that factors including genetics, advanced age, a history of more than one head trauma, and lifestyle factors such as smoking may play a role in raising a persons risk of Alzheimers disease.

The most common symptom of Alzheimers disease is short-term memory lossa difficulty with remembering new information, such as recent conversations or the names of people. As the disease advances, other symptoms become more apparent: confusion and disorientation mood and behavior changes significant memory loss and difficulty speaking, swallowing, sleeping, and walking. Eventually, people with Alzheimers disease can no longer care for themselves.

Single Brain Scan Can Diagnose Alzheimers Disease

by Maxine Myers20 June 2022

A single MRI scan of the brain could be enough to diagnose Alzheimers disease, according to new research by Imperial College London.

The research uses machine learning technology to look at structural features within the brain, including in regions not previously associated with Alzheimers. The advantage of the technique is its simplicity and the fact that it can identify the disease at an early stage when it can be very difficult to diagnose.

Although there is no cure for Alzheimers disease, getting a diagnosis quickly at an early stage helps patients. It allows them to access help and support, get treatment to manage their symptoms and plan for the future. Being able to accurately identify patients at an early stage of the disease will also help researchers to understand the brain changes that trigger the disease, and support development and trials of new treatments.

What New Methods For Diagnosing Alzheimers Disease Are Being Studied

Scientists are exploring ways to help physicians diagnose Alzheimers disease earlier and more accurately. The ultimate goal is a reliable, valid, and inexpensive diagnostic test that can be used in any doctors office.

Some studies focus on changes in personality and mental functioning, measured through memory and recall tests, which might point to early Alzheimers or predict whether individuals are at higher risk of developing the disease. Other studies are examining the relationship between early damage to brain tissue and outward clinical signs.

Another very promising area of diagnostic research is the analysis of biomarkersbiological signs of disease found in brain images, cerebrospinal fluid, and bloodto detect early changes in the brains of people with MCI and in cognitively normal people who may be at greater risk for Alzheimers disease. Studies indicate that such early detection may be possible, but more research is needed before these techniques can be relied upon to diagnose Alzheimers disease in everyday medical practice.

Alzheimers disease biomarkers:

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What Happens If A Doctor Thinks It’s Alzheimer’s Disease

If a primary care doctor suspects Alzheimers, he or she may refer the patient to a specialist who can provide a detailed diagnosis or further assessment. Specialists include:

  • Geriatricians, who manage health care in older adults and know how the body changes as it ages and whether symptoms indicate a serious problem.
  • Geriatric psychiatrists, who specialize in the mental and emotional problems of older adults and can assess memory and thinking problems.
  • Neurologists, who specialize in abnormalities of the brain and central nervous system and can conduct and review brain scans.
  • Neuropsychologists, who can conduct tests of memory and thinking.

Memory clinics and centers, including Alzheimers Disease Research Centers, offer teams of specialists who work together to diagnose the problem. In addition, these specialty clinics or centers often have access to the equipment needed for brain scans and other advanced diagnostic tests.

Why Are Some Of The Guidelines Limited To Research Settings

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Some of the new guidelinesspecifically, those for using biomarkers to assess preclinical Alzheimers disease and to increase the certainty of diagnoses of MCI and dementia due to Alzheimers diseaseare to be used only for research. Before doctors can use these guidelines in clinical practice, more research is needed to make sure biomarkers can help predict who will or will not develop Alzheimers dementia. Biomarker tests also must be standardized to ensure they can be measured correctly and consistently in all clinical settings.

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How Do We Detect Alzheimers Disease Early

What can we do we to detect Alzheimer’s Disease in its earliest stages, before irreversible brain damage or mental decline occurs? Scientists are still doing research on ways to diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease earlier. However, there are actually some tests that we can do to have a better chance at securing an earlier diagnosis of the disease.

With an earlier diagnosis, the doctors will be able to start treatment earlier, which means a better long-term prognosis and possibly better outcomes as time passes.

Currently, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease relies mainly on the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s. However, by then, it is very likely that irreversible and severe brain damage has already occurred. Hence, some experts believe that identifying certain biomarkers might help us to identify those in the earliest stages of the disease.

Some examples of biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease that are still under research include:

  • beta-amyloid levels
  • changes in the brain that can be detected by imaging

Beta-amyloid and Tau levels can be detected through testing of one’s cerebrospinal fluid , which can be obtained from a minimally invasive procedure called a spinal tap.

Imaging is also another way Alzheimer’s disease can be detected earlier. There are 3 main brain-imaging technologies: Structural, Functional and Molecular imaging.

Structural imaging

Functional imaging

Molecular imaging

Spinal Tap to obtain CSF fluid

What are some prevention measures for the disease?

What Causes Alzheimers Disease

Apart from the few people with familial Alzheimers disease, it is not known why some people develop Alzheimers disease and others do not.

Health and lifestyle factors that may contribute to the development of Alzheimers disease include:

  • physical inactivity
  • changes in ability to plan, problem solve, organise and think logically
  • taking longer to do routine tasks
  • language and comprehension difficulties, such as problems finding the right word
  • increasing disorientation in time, place and person
  • problems in becoming motivated and initiating tasks
  • changes in behaviour, personality and mood.

Someone experiencing symptoms may be unable to recognise any changes in themselves. Often a family member or friend of someone affected will observe changes in a person.

Symptoms vary as the condition progresses and as different areas of the brain are affected. A persons abilities may fluctuate from day to day, or even within the same day. Symptoms can worsen in times of stress, fatigue or ill-health.

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Drugs To Treat Alzheimers

Since cholinesterase inhibition enhances memory and cognitive function, it has been successfully used to treat Alzheimers disease. DONEPEZIL, RIVASTIGMINE, GALANTAMINE, and the other three are equally effective, however TACRINE is rarely used due to its hepatotoxicity.

DONEPEZIL is the first choice drug because it has once a day dosing and is well tolerated.

Memantine. this drug helps to improve cognition and functional capacity of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimers disease.

Aducanumab, is now available as a monthly infusion to treat Alzheimer`s disease and some experts consider it to be the first-choice medicine for treating Alzheimers disease.

Main Symptoms Of Alzheimers

Diagnosing Alzheimers Disease

As we have already said there is no single cause nor is a certain age met and boom! we already know whether or not we have the disease. It is a long and silent process that when he shows his face it is too late. We are going to say some symptoms to detect Alzheimers quickly, either in ourselves or in a friend, acquaintance or family member.

  • Memory failures such as repeating affirmations, forgetting conversations, asking the same questions over and over again, forgetting names and dates that we knew perfectly well before, getting lost in a place that is well known to us, basic vocabulary problems, etc.
  • Feeling groggy and out of place.
  • Trouble concentrating especially with numbers.
  • Difficulty evaluating something or making decisions, even if it is something simple like choosing a t-shirt or a plate of food.
  • Inability to plan or carry out activities that require prior organization, such as cooking, playing, bathing, eating, etc.
  • Changes in behavior and personality, becoming apathetic, fearful, distrustful, socially isolated, aggressive, irritability, delusions, depression, etc.
  • Sleep disorders, those with Alzheimers tend to have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep for a long time.

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When And How Should Healthcare Professionals Apply The Revised Guidelines In Clinical Practice

The core clinical criteria for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimers disease and Alzheimers dementia can be applied to clinical practice immediately. The new guidelines for the diagnosis of preclinical Alzheimers are for research settings only further research is needed to refine, validate, and standardize biomarkers before they are ready for general clinical practice. However, fluid and imaging biomarker tests may in some cases supplement standard clinical tests in specialized clinical settings, such as research centers, to determine possible causes of MCI and to increase or decrease the certainty of an Alzheimers dementia diagnosis.

Who Gets Early Onset Ad

Although AD isnt an expected part of advancing age, youre at increased risk as you get older. More than 32 percent of people over age 85 have AD.

You may also have an increased risk of developing AD if a parent, sibling, or child has the disease. If more than one family member has AD, your risk increases.

A showed that African Americans, Native Americans, and Native Alaskans are at higher risk for developing early onset AD compared to white people.

Prevalence of early onset AD

Early onset AD affects approximately

The exact cause of early onset AD hasnt been fully determined. Many researchers believe that this disease develops as the result of multiple factors rather than one specific cause.

Researchers have discovered rare genes that may directly cause or contribute to AD. These deterministic genes are:

  • amyloid precursor protein on chromosome 21
  • presenilin-1 on chromosome 14
  • presenilin-2 on chromosome 1

These genes may be carried from one generation to the next within a family. Carrying these genes can result in adults younger than age 65 developing symptoms much earlier than expected.

Mutations in these genes account for only 5 to 10 percent of all Alzheimers cases but a majority of early onset AD cases.

Apolipoprotein E is another gene associated with AD. Its more commonly a factor in people who develop AD after age 65.

Lifestyle changes that help reduce risk include:

  • regular physical activity

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Testing For Alzheimer’s Disease

There is no single test for Alzheimers disease. The GP will first need to rule out conditions that can have similar symptoms, such as infections, vitamin and thyroid deficiencies , depression and side effects of medication.

The doctor will also talk to the person, and where possible someone who knows them well, about their medical history and how their symptoms are affecting their life. The GP or a practice nurse may ask the person to do some tests of mental abilities.

The GP may feel able to make a diagnosis of Alzheimers at this stage. If not, they will generally refer the person to a specialist. This could be an old-age psychiatrist often based in a memory service. Or it might be a geriatrician , a neurologist or a general adult psychiatrist in a hospital.

The specialist will assess the persons symptoms, and how they developed, in more detail. In Alzheimers disease there will usually have been a gradual worsening of memory over several months. A family member may be more aware of these changes than the person with suspected Alzheimers is themselves.

The persons memory, thinking and other mental abilities will also be assessed further with a pen-and-paper test. When someone with Alzheimers is tested, they will often forget things quite quickly. They will often not be able to recall them a few minutes later even when prompted.

Key Points About Early

Alzheimer
  • Alzheimer disease commonly affects older people, but early-onset Alzheimer disease can affect people in their 30s or 40s.

  • It affects memory, thinking, and behavior.

  • Although there is no known cure, early diagnosis and treatment can lead to better quality of life.

  • Stay healthy with a good diet and regular exercise.

  • Avoid alcohol and other substances that may affect memory, thinking, and behavior.

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How To Detect Alzheimers Early: Signs To Look Out For

Alzheimers disease is a neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsen. Alzheimers is the most common cause of dementia a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that affects a persons ability to function independently.

Up to 5.8 million Americans were estimated to have Alzheimers disease in 2020. Alzheimers disease can affect younger people, but it is very common.

The cause of Alzheimers is still not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. In this blog post, well take a look at the Alzheimers disease and what it means for those who are affected by it.

The increase in age, increases the chance of having Alzheimers

  • Age between 65 to 74: 3%
  • Between 75 to 84: 17%
  • Age from 85 and above: 32%

How Is Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed And Evaluated

No single test can determine whether a person has Alzheimer’s disease. A diagnosis is made by determining the presence of certain symptoms and ruling out other causes of dementia. This involves a careful medical evaluation, including a thorough medical history, mental status testing, a physical and neurological exam, blood tests and brain imaging exams, including:

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Signs Of Mild Alzheimers Disease

In mild Alzheimers disease, a person may seem to be healthy but has more and more trouble making sense of the world around him or her. The realization that something is wrong often comes gradually to the person and his or her family. Problems can include:

  • Poor judgment leading to bad decisions
  • Loss of spontaneity and sense of initiative
  • Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
  • Repeating questions
  • Increased sleeping
  • Loss of bowel and bladder control

A common cause of death for people with Alzheimers disease is aspiration pneumonia. This type of pneumonia develops when a person cannot swallow properly and takes food or liquids into the lungs instead of air.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimers, though there are medicines that can treat the symptoms of the disease.

Is There A Blood Test For Diagnosing Alzheimers

Pen And Paper Test Can Detect Alzheimer’s Symptoms Early, Experts Say

Researchers are working to diagnose Alzheimers disease at its earliest stages, before the onset of symptoms and even before toxic changes in the brain begin to cause damage.

Their efforts involve the search for new biomarkers measurable, accurate, and reliable indicators of disease that might appear on a blood test, for instance.

These biomarkers may one day help doctors and other clinicians detect Alzheimers early in the disease process, in the same way that increased cholesterol levels in the blood indicate heart disease risk.

For now, the use of Alzheimers biomarkers is mainly limited to research studies, although doctors sometimes use them in clinical practice to help confirm an Alzheimers diagnosis.

Researchers currently use blood tests to look for the presence of certain proteins associated with Alzheimers, including beta amyloid and tau . Scientists are getting closer to developing blood tests that could be used as a routine tool for identifying Alzheimers or screening people who are at risk of developing the disease.

Another biomarker involves cerebrospinal fluid , the clear liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, which can be analyzed for the presence of Alzheimers-related proteins. Tests measuring CSF biomarkers are more sensitive than blood tests and are particularly useful for the diagnosis of early onset Alzheimers.

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Women Might Be At Higher Risk

Age is the major risk factor for Alzheimers disease, and women on average live longer than men.

However, longevity alone does not fully explain why two-thirds of Alzheimers patients are women. Even after taking into account the difference in longevity, some studies have suggested that women are still at a higher risk.

What Are The Main Differences Between The 1984 Diagnostic Criteria For Alzheimers Disease And The 2011 Guidelines

The 2011 guidelines differ from the 1984 diagnostic criteria in a few key ways. They:

  • Recognize that Alzheimers disease progresses on a spectrum with three stagesan early, preclinical stage with no symptoms a middle stage of mild cognitive impairment and a final stage marked by symptoms of dementia. The 1984 criteria addressed only one stage of diseasethe final stage of dementia.
  • Expand the criteria for Alzheimers dementia beyond memory loss as the first or only major symptom. They recognize that other aspects of cognition, such as word-finding ability or judgment, may become impaired first. The 1984 criteria focused on memory loss as the central emerging characteristic of Alzheimers dementia.
  • Reflect a better understanding of the distinctions and associations between Alzheimers and non-Alzheimers dementias, as well as between Alzheimers and disorders that may influence its development, such as vascular disease. In 1984, these relationships were not well recognized or understood.
  • Recognize the potential use of biomarkersindicators of underlying brain diseaseto diagnose Alzheimers disease. However, the guidelines state that biomarkers are almost exclusively to be used in research rather than in a clinical setting. These biomarkers did not exist when the original criteria were developed in 1984, so confirmation of the diagnosis was possible only through autopsy after death.

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