The usual picture of a person with Alzheimer’s disease is someone who can’t remember what he had for breakfast and is constantly repeating the same story or question. A new study shows, however, that some people with Alzheimer’s disease have initial symptoms other than memory problems.
The research evaluated the earliest neurological test results on 8,000 people who were eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Although the average age was 75 years of age, some people as young as 36 years old were included in the database.
Trouble with Words and Thoughts
One in five people who are having difficulties before age 60 first notice trouble with problem solving or with language rather than with memory. Being alert to such symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease sooner might give people more of a chance to seek treatment that could delay the progression of the disease.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia, online April 24, 2015
One reason many people don’t seek help for possible symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is that it is frightening. Since there have been no effective treatments, only drugs that may slow cognitive decline a bit, there was little incentive to recognize the problem early.
Now, however, scientists are finding that a multifactorial approach that is personalized for each patient can help restore function, reversing cognitive impairment. Listen to our interview with Dr. Dale Bredesen to learn more.
