Recent newspaper articles highlight that Alzheimer’s cases in the U.S. are projected to double by 2050, and a recent blood test has been approved by the FDA to help diagnose the disease. Research also shows two phases of brain damage, one slow and silent and another rapid and destructive, along with studies on rare genetic mutations that may protect against the disease and a new model organism for studying Alzheimer’s.
Key Developments & Research
Two Phases of Damage:
New research suggests Alzheimer’s may damage the brain in two distinct phases, with the first being slow and silent and the second involving more widespread, rapid destruction coinciding with symptoms.
FDA-Approved Blood Test:
The Lumipulse G Plasma Ratio Test has been approved by the FDA to help diagnose Alzheimer’s by detecting plaque proteins in the blood, offering a new diagnostic tool for patients with cognitive decline.
Genetic Insights:
Researchers are studying rare genetic mutations that can protect against Alzheimer’s, such as one linked to the APOE4 gene variant, which sheds light on potential ways to counter high-risk genes.
New Research Model:
The common degu, a long-lived rodent, is emerging as a promising model for studying Alzheimer’s-like changes and aging-related neurodegeneration due to its natural development of relevant brain pathologies.
Future & Impact
Increased Cases:
Due to an aging population, new cases of Alzheimer’s are expected to double by 2050, making research and early detection increasingly vital.
Shift in Treatment:
The field is moving toward a more proactive approach, similar to managing heart disease, with a focus on early intervention, lifestyle changes, and combination therapies to target different aspects of the disease.
Inspiring Future Scientists:
The increasing momentum in Alzheimer’s research is inspiring young physicians and scientists to join the field, bringing new energy to a previously challenging and uncertain area of medicine.
Alzheimer’s Disease news – Today’s latest updates
Can Alzheimer’s be slowed? More than 7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s. Aug 5. 04:40. FDA greenlights Alzheimer’s blood te…
CBS News
Alzheimer’s disease – Latest research and news – Nature
The study of aging and age-related diseases has traditionally focused on short-lived laboratory species such as mice. The common d…
Nature
Alzheimer’s disease may damage the brain in two phases
Oct 15, 2024 — Alzheimer’s disease may damage the brain in two distinct phases, based on new research funded by the National Institut…
National Institutes of Health (NIH) |
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This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
Alzheimer’s disease is a complex disorder for which there is currently no known prevention or cure. However, research suggests that lifestyle choices can support healthy brain aging and reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk. Healthy habits, like exercising and eating a nutrient-rich diet, can improve and maintain overall health.
Who Is More at Risk for Alzheimer’s?
Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, however studies show that some people could be at higher risk for Alzheimer’s.
Women
Women are disproportionately affected by the disease, comprising approximately two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients themselves and also serving as the majority of caregivers for people living with the disease.
African Americans & Hispanics
African Americans and Hispanics with certain psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, apathy/indifference, and irritability have a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment, often a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
People With Other Medical Conditions
Other medical conditions, some treatable such as depression, sleep disturbances like apnea, and traumatic brain injury have been shown to influence the risk of cognitive decline.
Some research has generated hope that one day it might be possible to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, delay its symptoms, or even prevent it from occurring at all. Although research supports the benefit of some interventions—such as physical activity and cardiovascular risk reduction—nothing at this time has definitively been shown to prevent Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
Healthy Lifestyle Actions You Can Take Right Now
Eat a varied, nutritious, and low-glycemic diet.
Get regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight.
Keep your mind active.
Get enough good quality sleep, as recommended for your age group.
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but BrightFocus’ Alzheimer’s Disease Research program is working to change that. Researchers worldwide are searching for answers about the disease’s root causes and ways to prevent or detect it early so we can stop the progression and ultimately find a cure.
In the meantime, that doesn’t mean that people with Alzheimer’s and their physicians are without options. There are treatments that make living with Alzheimer’s more manageable and some that can slow disease progression.
Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease
Some medications help control or delay symptoms, particularly in the early stages of the disease, while other drug treatments can help manage mental or emotional health symptoms like depression or agitation.
Doctors also use behavioral or environmental strategies to help reduce anxiety and manage conditions without drug intervention.
Details on Medications and Treatments
These drugs do not stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, they may help delay it or help with symptom control for a while, particularly in the earlier stages of the disease. This action, in turn, may help people with their attention and focus, cognitive abilities, memory, and communication skills, providing a higher quality of life.
Immune-based anti-amyloid therapies
The newest treatments approved to fight Alzheimer’s disease. They work by clearing different forms of amyloid-beta in the brain. Also known as disease-modifying medications, they target the potential cause of the disease, not just the symptoms.
Cholinesterase and glutamate inhibitors
These medications help treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease by addressing disease-related imbalances in brain chemical messengers.
Psychiatric therapies
There are medications and psychological strategies available to help manage agitation, depression, and psychiatric symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia) that may arise as the disease progresses.
Non-drug interventions
Includes repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation or rTMS, the noninvasive application of magnetic fields to stimulate specific brain regions.
Always talk to a doctor about the pros and cons of trying a particular drug treatment, alone or in combination with other drugs or with behavioral approaches. Even if most people tolerate certain medicines well, drugs may have side effects such as:
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Trouble sleeping
Search for an Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trial
Clinical trials are crucial to advancing the most effective medical approaches. Today’s studies will lead to new standards of care in the future.
Alzheimer’s disease attacks the mind, leading to memory loss, confusion, cognitive problems, and the inability to communicate or care for oneself. Continue reading for more information about the signs and symptoms.
What to Watch For
Many people experience mild forgetfulness or memory delays; it’s a normal part of the aging process. We all have occasional difficulty remembering a word or someone’s name. A person with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia will find such symptoms becoming more and more frequent and severe.
Any of us could forget where we placed our car keys. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may place the keys in an unusual spot, like the refrigerator. Or, he or she may not even remember the purpose of the keys.
Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Changes in personality
Impaired walking or movement
Language difficulties
Low energy
Memory loss
Mood swings
Problems with attention and orientation
Problems with simple mathematical tasks
When to Seek Evaluation
In general, it may be time to seek an Alzheimer’s evaluation by a qualified physician if memory loss or other symptoms for you or a loved one:
Increases in frequency or severity
Interferes with daily activities (such as employment tasks or family chores)
Makes an impression on friends and family
Get a Memory Screening
Memory screenings are a simple, non-invasive “check-up” for your memory and cognitive skills that represent an important step in the early detection of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. These screenings take just a few minutes and can help identify whether further medical evaluation might be beneficial. If you’re 65 or older, you can receive a memory screening as part of your annual wellness visit covered by Medicare.
Check out three of the most commonly used memory screenings below. If you’re concerned about memory loss or want to establish a cognitive health baseline, these tests are a great way to start. Ask your doctor which test is right for you.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
A 15-minute test often used for detecting mild cognitive impairment. This exam is an updated version of the MMSE. Additional testing is needed to determine the cause of cognitive impairment, whether it is a type of dementia, a neurodegenerative disease like Huntington’s or Parkinson’s, or brain cancer.
Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)
A 10-minute test most commonly used to screen for dementia and track the progression of cognitive decline. It assesses language, memory, attention, and calculation through tasks like identifying objects, counting backwards, and stating the date. The MMSE also requires follow-up testing to determine the cause of cognitive impairment.
Mini-Cog
A simple 3-minute test designed to quickly screen for possible dementia. The exam requires the delayed recalling of three words and a clock drawing task. The Mini-Cog helps healthcare professionals determine if an individual may need more in-depth cognitive evaluation.
Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR-SB)
A 30-minute test that evaluates cognitive function and assesses the ability to perform everyday tasks. It involves interviews with both the individual and their care partner. When this test is performed in the pre-dementia stage, it can predict the likelihood of progressing to dementia or reversion to normal cognition.
In research settings, like clinical trials, you may hear of more memory tests such as the ADAS-Cog and PACC5. For more information on specific memory tests used in research and clinical trials, speak with your doctor or a research specialist.
Medications That Can Mimic Dementia
Some medications can interfere with cognition and mimic symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Often, it is difficult to disentangle the possible sources of cognitive changes in an older person taking multiple medications for medical conditions that, in their own right, can affect mental functioning.
If you believe that medications are causing memory loss or affecting other cognitive functions, discuss this with your healthcare providers.
Alzheimer’s disease usually progresses gradually, lasting an average of seven years in the U.S. Scientists now know that Alzheimer’s disease exists in a person’s body long before symptoms appear. Researchers call this the pre-clinical/pre-symptomatic stage. Once symptoms do appear, they increase in severity as a person with Alzheimer’s moves from the earliest to the final stages of the disease.
Mild Cognitive Impairment Due to Alzheimer’s
Individuals with mild cognitive impairment have memory problems but can perform routine activities. This condition often leads to Alzheimer’s, but not all patients will develop Alzheimer’s.
Mild (Stage 1)
Early in their illness, people with Alzheimer’s disease may be slow in their speech and understanding, experience minor memory loss and mood swings, and other possible symptoms.
Moderate (Stage 2)
At this stage, a person with Alzheimer’s begins to experience a greater impact on their daily life and independence.
Severe (Stage 3)
In this final stage, people with Alzheimer’s are unable to chew and swallow, become bedridden and vulnerable to pneumonia and other illnesses, among other symptoms.
Do you think you or a loved one might have Alzheimer’s?
If you suspect that you or a loved one has a memory problem, seek advice and a thorough evaluation by a physician with extensive knowledge, experience, and interest in dementia and memory problems. It’s important to get early medical attention if you can.
A physician can rule out other possible causes of memory loss, including:
Another progressive condition like Parkinson’s disease
Drug interactions
Head injury
Infections
Nutritional or metabolic disorders
Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, a doctor may prescribe certain medications to help slow the progression or alleviate some of the symptoms of the disease. Treatment is most effective in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease, so early screening and diagnosis are important.
In most cases, the primary caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s disease will be a loved one, a spouse, an adult child, or a close companion. Even in the early stages of the disease, caregiving is extremely demanding, both physically and mentally. You are not alone; continue reading for more information.
Becoming a Caregiver
If you have a friend or family member with Alzheimer’s, there are resources available to learn more about the disease and how to provide supportive, caring, and practical help. Caring for someone with this disease is a 24-hour-a-day task. Caregivers are often faced with changes in their loved one’s behavior and personality. They are also charged with communicating with family, friends, and professionals about his or her condition.
Ways to Help
Participate in Caregiver Training
Training helps family caregivers properly care for someone with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. It could include learning more about the disease, managing changes in behavior, home safety tips, medication management, financial and legal issues, and more. Learn more and find a training program.
Learn How to Communicate
Communicating with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s may sometimes feel awkward or frustrating. Despite these challenges, there are several strategies you can use to facilitate better conversations. Check out our conversation tips guide.
In the later stages of Alzheimer’s, your loved one may find it difficult to keep up with their self-care independently. From personal grooming and oral hygiene to bathing and dressing, this article provides tips to make the process simpler and more comfortable.
Emotional Effect on Caregivers
Spousal caregivers are often strongly affected by a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s as they process the profound changes their future holds:
Spouses often have their own health problems.
Husbands and wives often must reverse roles and take on unfamiliar tasks.
Depending on a couple’s relationship, Alzheimer’s can bring them closer together, or it can alienate them.
Spouses must accept that the person they have known and loved may change dramatically in personality and behavior, and there will almost always come a time when their loved one does not recognize them.
Adult children, in some cases, also have to adjust to the role reversal in caring for their parent. They may feel overwhelmed by the other responsibilities in their lives, such as working within or outside the home and caring for their children. For any caregiver, action following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is critical. Finding acceptance, activating your support network, gathering information, and planning for the road ahead are the primary next steps.
Managing Stress: Care for the Caregiver
The role of caregivers is both physically and emotionally exhausting. As the disease progresses, you may be called upon to adapt to changes in the person you are caring for and develop new skills to shoulder an increasing amount of responsibility.
