ISLAMABAD, May 31 (Online): A recent study found that cognitively healthy people who self-reported memory problems had early signs of Alzheimer\u2019s in their brains.
\nThe results may help experts detect Alzheimer\u2019s sooner, allowing earlier treatment.
\nStarting treatment before symptoms begin is likely to be more effective.
\nA new study, published May 29 in Neurology, recruited neurologically healthy older adults without measurable cognitive impairments, but who had concerns about their memory.<\/p>\n
The scientists looked for links between memory loss and signs of Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD). They found that people who self-reported memory loss were more likely to have elevated levels of proteins associated with Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n
If further research backs up these findings, it could help doctors catch the condition at an earlier stage, allowing treatment to start earlier.<\/p>\n
Assessing cognition with memory and thinking skills
\nA team of researchers from Harvard Medical School recruited 675 older adults with an average age of 72.<\/p>\n
First, participants took cognitive tests, which showed that they had no cognitive impairments.<\/p>\n
Each recruit had a partner, which could be a child, spouse, or friend \u2014 65% of these partners lived with the participant.<\/p>\n
Participants answered questions about their memory and thinking skills and how well they performed daily tasks. Their partners also answered the same questions about the participants.<\/p>\n
The questions included:<\/p>\n
\u201cCompared to 1 year ago, do you feel your memory has declined substantially?\u201d
\n\u201cCompared to 1 year ago, do you have more difficulty managing money?\u201d
\nBrain scans reveal early signs of Alzheimer\u2019s
\nEach participant underwent a brain scan to look for protein markers of Alzheimer\u2019s disease called amyloid plaques and tau tangles.<\/p>\n
Although the precise mechanisms that lead to Alzheimer\u2019s disease are still being thrashed out, two telltale signs in the brain are associated with its progression:<\/p>\n
Amyloid plaques \u2014protein buildup between neurons
\nTau tangles \u2014protein buildup within neurons
\nBoth of these limit cells\u2019 ability to signal to each other. Eventually, this leads to cell death. Over time, as more cells die, it reduces cognitive ability and the brain can actually shrink or atrophy.<\/p>\n
Medical News Today spoke with Verna Porter, MD, a board certified neurologist and director of Dementia, Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and Neurocognitive Disorders at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA.<\/p>\n
Porter, who was not involved in the study, said these proteins \u201cinterfere with the formation of memories at both the biochemical level and structural level through interference with the physical integrity of neural networks. The patterns of impaired memory functions observed relate to changes in the structure and function of the brain.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the current study, 60% of participants had elevated levels of amyloid in the brain. People who have higher levels of amyloid are also more likely to have higher levels of tau.<\/p>\n
Memory problems and protein buildup in Alzheimer\u2019s
\nThe brain scans showed that individuals with self-reported memory problems had higher levels of tau tangles. This association was even stronger in people who also had higher levels of amyloid.<\/p>\n
In other words, people who experience memory problems are more likely to have neurological signs of Alzheimer\u2019s despite being cognitively healthy.<\/p>\n
MNT asked lead study author Rebecca E. Amariglio, PhD what surprised her most about the findings, she told us:<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the fact that participants were cognitively unimpaired and functioning normally in their day-to-day, their study partners were still able to detect subtle changes in how they once were compared to a year ago that related to Alzheimer\u2019s biomarkers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur study included a high percentage of people with elevated amyloid, and for this reason, we were able to also see that memory complaints were associated with higher tau tangles,\u201d Amariglio explained in a press release.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur findings suggest that asking older people who have elevated Alzheimer\u2019s disease biomarkers about subjective cognitive decline may be valuable for early detection,\u201d she continued. \u201cThis is particularly important since it is predicted that treatments given at the earliest diagnosable form of the disease will be the most effective in slowing the disease.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking with MNT, Amariglio said that they plan to follow up this study with longitudinal data to understand how this relationship works over time.<\/p>\n
What are the warning signs of Alzheimer\u2019s?
\nMNT asked Porter about early Alzheimer\u2019s signs to look out for. She explained that people should seek out care and a memory evaluation by a medical professional if they or a family member notices that someone is:<\/p>\n
repetitively asking the same question
\nforgetting a word, phrase, or idea when speaking
\ninserting the wrong word in conversation, for instance, saying \u201cchair\u201d instead of \u201csofa\u201d
\ntaking longer to complete daily chores, tasks, or affairs, such as paying bills or managing the mail
\nfrequently misplacing objects or items around the house
\ngetting lost while walking or driving in a relatively familiar area
\nhaving sudden or unexplained changes in mood, personality, or behavior without a clear reason<\/p>\n
Can dementia be prevented?
\nWhile a steady cognitive decline is often part of normal aging, Alzheimer\u2019s and other dementias are not.<\/p>\n
While we cannot influence some risk factors, such as our genetics and advancing age, some risk factors for dementia are modifiable.<\/p>\n
MNT spoke with Iris Blotenberg, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, who was not involved in the recent research. She explained that modifiable risk factors \u201care associated with at least one-third of dementia cases.\u201d These factors include:<\/p>\n
lack of physical activity
\nsmoking
\nexcessive alcohol consumption
\ndiabetes
\nBlotenberg said that other health conditions can also increase the risk of developing dementia, such as \u201cstroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, and obesity.\u201d<\/p>\n
As these conditions are more likely in people who are sedentary, smoke, and drink frequently, addressing these factors can make a real difference to an individual\u2019s dementia risk.<\/p>\n
Blotenberg added that hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia because \u201cstimulation is very important for our brain to maintain cognitive function. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use a hearing aid if you or those around you notice a decline in hearing ability.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finally, social isolation \u2014 something that is increasingly commonTrusted Source in Western societies \u2014 increases the risk of dementia.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us as social beings, social engagement is incredibly important and, not least, a vital form of stimulation for our brain,\u201d Blotenberg said.<\/p>\n
MNT also spoke with Geir Selb\u00e6k, a professor in the Department of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Oslo in Norway. Alongside the risk factors outlined above, he suggested people should \u201cavoid head injury and areas with high levels of air pollution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Selb\u00e6k, who was not involved in the recent study, explained that stress may also be a risk factor. So, finding ways to minimize or deal with daily stresses could be helpful.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn general, it is beneficial to start as early as possible and maintain a healthy lifestyle, but it is never too late,\u201d Blotenberg said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is always good to continue to be cognitively active \u2014 stimulation is crucial for our brain. Therefore, within your means, stay cognitively, socially, and physically active, but be careful not to overextend yourself,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, May 31 (Online): A recent study found that cognitively healthy people who self-reported memory problems had early signs of Alzheimer\u2019s in their brains. The results may help experts detect Alzheimer\u2019s sooner, allowing earlier treatment. Starting treatment before symptoms begin is likely to be more […]<\/p>\n
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