Signs of dementia were detected nine years before diagnosis

Researchers at the University of Cambridge, UK, have shown that it is possible to identify indicators of brain impairment in individuals up to nine years before they are diagnosed with a dementia-related disease.

The researchers examined data from the UK Biobank and found shortcomings in several areas, including problem-solving and digital recall, In a variety of conditions, including dementia🇧🇷 The conclusions were published recently in Alzheimer’s and dementia: Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association🇧🇷

The results suggest that, in the future, individuals at risk could be identified, interventions that will reduce their chances of developing a condition or identification of appropriate people to enroll in clinical trials of new therapies.

Currently, there are few effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. This is partly because these diseases are only recognized when symptoms begin to appear, even though the underlying neurodegeneration may have started years or even decades earlier.

To conduct this study, the researchers used a biomedical database and research resource containing genetic informationand the lifestyle and health of half a million British citizens between the ages of 40 and 69.

In addition to collecting information about the participants’ health and disease prognosis, the Biobank collected test results taken by the participants, including problem-solving, memory and reaction times, as well as data on weight loss and gain and the number of falls.

This allowed them to analyze the signals at baseline — that is, when measurements were first taken (between five and nine years before diagnosis).

People with Alzheimer’s disease scored lower compared to healthy people when it came to problem-solving tasks, reaction times, number-recall lists, and future memory (The ability to remember to do something later).

This was also the case for people who developed a rare form of dementia known as frontotemporal dementia.

People who developed Alzheimer’s disease were more likely than healthy people to have had a depression in the past 12 months. Patients who developed a rare neurological condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), which affects balance, were more likely to experience falls compared to healthy people.

For every condition analyzed — including Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies — patients reported poor health at baseline.

When we looked at the patients’ stories, it turned out that they were showing some Cognitive impairment several years ago “Before their symptoms become clear enough to initiate a diagnosis,” said the study’s first author, Nol Suadeyodeong, of the University of Cambridge.

“The disabilities were often subtle, but across multiple facets of cognition. This is a step towards being able to look at people who are most at risk – for example, those over 50 or those with high blood pressure or who don’t exercise.” adequate exercise – and intervention at an early stage to help them reduce their risk.”, the investigator continued.

Tim Reitman, one of the study’s authors who is also from the University of Cambridge, added: “People should not be overly anxious If, for example, they are not good at remembering numbers. Even some healthy individuals will naturally score better or worse than their peers.”

He also said: “But we would encourage anyone who has any concerns or notices their memory or recall is getting worse to speak to their GP.”

The results of the research can help identify people who can participate in clinical trials of potential new treatments.

The problem with clinical trials is that they often, out of necessity, recruit patients who have been diagnosed, but we know that by then they are somehow on the road and their condition cannot be contained. If we can find these individuals early enough, we will have many more Chances of knowing if the drugs are effectiveHe finished.