Researches Aim to Detect Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Brain

As research towards early detection of Alzheimer’s disease has improved, scientists say that early detection of symptoms could be the key to treating the disease.

Dr. Scott N. Losk, a nationally-recognized neuropsychologist and clinical psychologist with Summit Research Network, said that studies are being carried out to detect markers in the brain that show possible Alzheimer’s disease before a person begins experiencing dementia.

Diet and Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's begins with forgetfulness, but over time affects speech and coordination along with drastic behavioral changes. The right diet may lower your risk by 40%. So isn't a diet change worth it?

PET (positron emission tomography) scanning is being carried out in studies to detect amyloids, a plaque on the brain often identified in Alzheimer’s patients.

Basically the concept is if we can lower Amyloid in the brain we’ve got potential to stabilize cognition to have it not get any worse.

In 2013, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and the Alzheimer’s Association Amyloid Imaging Taskforce concluded that amyloid imaging could “potentially be helpful in the diagnosis of people with cognitive impairment when considered along with other clinical information, and when performed according to standardized protocols by trained staff,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Common Lifestyle Habits that Cause Diseases
Cigarette smoking, unhealthy diets, overuse of alcohol, and physical inactivity are some of the most common lifestyle habits that cause chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

“The hope is future treatments could then target the disease in its earliest stages, before irreversible brain damage or mental decline has occurred. Research on new strategies for earlier diagnosis is among the most active areas in Alzheimer's science,” it concluded.

Dr. Scott N. Losk, who has conducted over 50 clinical trials, said early detection and the ability to treat the disease are two major movements in Alzheimer’s research.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease / Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare form of degenerative brain disorder, or brain damage that leads to a rapid decrease of mental function and movement.

Losk said people who have a family history of the disease or who suffer from anxiety or depression can make lifestyle changes to improve their brain function. The suggested lifestyle changes include limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, eating healthy, exercising regularly and increasing social engagement.

“Anything that’s heart healthy is brain healthy,” Losk said.

Dementia - Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Dementia has become a very big concern as we have an aging population across the world. Dementia is also terrifying to us because of its disturbing symptoms and limited treatment options.

Source-Medindia