YOUR spouse is likely to spot Alzheimer’s before your doctor, according to a study.
Experts suggest a husband or wife may notice behaviour changes quicker than brain problems show up on scans or in doctors’ appointments.
1
The research involved 675 people and found those whose spouse complained about their memory were more likely to develop brain damage.
They had a higher chance of doctors later finding tangled clumps of a protein called tau, which is believed to kill off brain cells in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Regular scans showed loved ones spotted changes even in the “preclinical” phase where medics would struggle to see a problem.
Study author Dr Rebecca Amariglio, from Harvard Medical School in the US, said: “Our study found early suspicions of memory problems by participants and the people who knew them well were linked to higher levels of tau tangles in the brain.
“Understanding the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease is even more important now that new drugs are becoming available.”
Close to one million Brits have dementia
The study, in the journal Neurology, questioned participants with an average age of 72, and also partners or close family.
They were asked whether the person’s memory was getting worse, and doctors compared the responses to PET brain scans.
Dementia is the leading cause of death in Britain and around a million people have the condition.
Two thirds of cases are caused by Alzheimer’s disease, which scientists believe is caused by a build-up of toxic proteins in the brain for years or even decades before the patient becomes ill.
Changes in the brain start well before symptoms are detected by a doctor
Dr Rebecca Amariglio
Dr Amariglio added: “We now understand that changes in the brain due to Alzheimer’s disease start well before patients show symptoms detected by a doctor.
“There is increasing evidence that individuals themselves or a close family member may notice changes in memory before a clinical measure picks up evidence of cognitive impairment.”
What are the early symptoms of cognitive decline?
WE all notice a natural decline in memory and thinking as we age.
This will be more pronounced in some people, as they experience memory and thinking problems that are mild but still noticeable.
This is described as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Unlike dementia sufferers, people with MCI can still get on with day-to-day life.
Research suggests that two out of 10 people over the age
of 65 have MCI, according to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
About one in 10 people who’ve received an MCI diagnosis will go on to develop dementia.
Symptoms of MCI include:
Memory – Misplacing items or having trouble
remembering recent conversations.
- Attention problems – finding it difficult to concentrate,
e.g. while watching a TV programme or carrying out
duties at work - Disorientation – confusion about time, date or place
- Thinking skills – problems with planning or completing
tasks, e.g. managing money, or cooking a meal - Problems with communication and finding the right words
- Mood and behaviour changes – becoming irritable, anxious,
or feeling low
These symptoms may affect someone with MCI all the
time, or they might come and go.
There are steps we can take to keep our brains as healthy as possible. These include:
- Not smoking
- Doing regular physical activity
- Staying mentally and socially active
- Eating a healthy balanced diet
- Limiting the amount of alcohol we drink
- Having your hearing checked regularly
- Keeping blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
levels in check