According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more that 5.4 million Americans and 35 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s disease, making it the most common form of dementia. There is no known cure for this disease and drugs only temporarily ease symptoms. Researchers are developing ways to determine risk and to find the disease early, allowing patients and their families to prepare. Evaluating the risk of developing Alzheimer’s would also allow high-risk patients to receive disease-altering therapies, enroll in clinical trials and plan ahead for care. Predicting an individual’s risk of developing the disease will become increasingly important as new, preventative treatments are developed.

MRIs


Researchers from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have reported that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be able to assist in predicting the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition characterized by memory deficit, not dementia, is often a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are working on ways to better predict which individuals with MCI are at the greatest risk for Alzheimer’s.

In their study, researches measured the thickness of the cerebral cortex, the layer of the brain that controls memory, attention, thought and language. They found the individuals whose cortex thinned at an accelerated rate more likely to develop dementia.

Blood Tests

A new blood test for Alzheimer’s disease, developed by Robert Nagele, PhD, a professor of medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine, is 96% accurate at identifying the disease and can potentially detect it before symptoms develop. Nagele is hopeful that the test will be available within a year. It is estimated that this test will be quite affordable related to the current test pricing.

Lifestyle Changes

The latest medical research suggests that the best way to prevent or slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease is to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes protecting you head from injury at all times and stimulating your brain regularly. Always wear a seatbelt and use a helmet when biking, skiing, etc. Exercise your brain by engaging in activities such as playing memory games, learning a language, or doing crossword puzzles. High-risk individuals could benefit from regular screenings by their care provider for early symptoms of the disease.