Signs of Dementia may be Detectable Years before Most Diagnoses

An interesting study from the University of Cambridge raises the possibility of signs that may lead to dementia up to nine years before a diagnosis. Researchers say the reason this is important is it provides time to suggest intervention treatments as well as recommend suitable candidates for clinical trials. Currently by the time most individuals are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it is generally too late to alter the course of the disease and to determine if clinical trials of new treatment are effective. 

The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association published the results of the study, which was funded by the Medical Research Council with support from the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre. One of the study authors, Nol Swaddiwudhipong, explained, “When we looked back at patients’ histories, it became clear that they were showing some cognitive impairment several years before their symptoms became obvious enough to prompt a diagnosis. The impairments were often subtle, but across a number of aspects of cognition.”

Data for the study was obtained from the UK Biobank where researchers looked for signs of early symptoms in participants such as a history of falls, health and disease diagnoses, and weight gain and losses. They also looked at memory loss, problem solving, reaction time, the ability to remember a list of numbers and grip strength. Researchers say while none of these problems alone are a sign of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, if you notice concerning signs of decline in these types of abilities, it is important to see your healthcare provider. 

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Source: theguardian.com/society/2022/oct/13/signs-of-dementia-may-be-detectable-nine-years-before-diagnosis-study?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1