May 22, 2012

Posts Comments

A Test That Could Predict Alzheimer’s Disease

November 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A Test That Could Predict Alzheimer’s Disease

Article by Dr.Victor Marchione









The best health advice is to prevent health problems from occurring. The best method of prevention is understanding and avoiding risks, and detecting issues as early as possible. On that note, we present a health breakthrough in area of dementia, namely Alzheimer?s disease. Researchers have found that, using a simple MRI test, we could help predict which adults are more likely to develop Alzheimer?s.

Let?s begin with ?mild cognitive impairment,? as it is central to this latest health news. This is the intermediate stage between the natural decline in mental abilities that happens when we age and the more pronounced decline that occurs with Alzheimer?s. The study suggests that MRI scans could help predict which people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are most at risk of progressing to Alzheimer?s.

People with MCI develop Alzheimer?s at a rate of 15% to 20% a year. This is far higher than the rate of the general population, which sits at about one to two percent. Some people with MCI remain stable, some have gradual decline, and some have rapid deterioration. Predicting who does what would be an immeasurable benefit for patients.

The team analyzed MRI exams from a study on 203 healthy individuals, 317 with MCI and 164 with late-onset Alzheimer?s, between 2005 and 2010. They conducted a MRI exam at the beginning, then another one year later. The patients? average age was 75. The MRI measured thickness of the cerebral cortex; the outer layer of the parts of the brain in charge of memory, attention, thought and language. The question was how quickly this area started to thin out. One hallmark of Alzheimer?s is a loss of brain cells in areas of the cortex.

They found that patients with MCI had a one-year risk of conversion to Alzheimer?s ranging from three percent to 40%. The MRI at the beginning helped identify those patients at very low risk of Alzheimer?s and those whose risk was doubled. Combining both MRI exams could predict rates of disease progression between three percent and 69%.

Sadly, no current treatments truly slow or prevent Alzheimer?s. But this information can help considerably with quality of life, family planning, and many other factors for patients. Speak to your doctor for more information.



About the Author

And remember, you can always get more natural health advice, the latest alternative health breakthroughs and news, plus information about nutrition, alternative remedies and cures and doctors health advice, all free when you sign up for the Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin. Visit http://www.doctorshealthpress.com now to find out how to start your free subscription.

The Snack That Makes You Smarter & 11 Other Brain-Boosting Super FoodsFREE report reveals the foods that could help you maintain your healthy brain function and also could help you remember names and places easier. It will be like your mind has turned back the clock! Click here to get your FREE report.http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/ads/dhpart/










Filed Under: Dementia Testing Questions Tagged With: , , , ,

Weighing in on spinal fluid test in identifying Alzheimer’s

October 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Sunnybrook dementia expert and Brill Chair in Neurology Dr. Sandra Black, comments on a recent study in the news that showed successful use of a spinal fluid test in identifying Alzheimer’s Disease.

Filed Under: Dementia Testing Questions Tagged With: , , , , ,

Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease Using a Simple Word Test

October 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease Using a Simple Word Test

Article by Gwen Sherwood









You can use a simple word test when testing for Alzheimer’s disease. You will be surprised to learn the relationship between word recall and Alzheimer’s disease. Get out your pen, paper and stop watch. See how you do.

Early testing for Alzheimer’s disease can have a huge impact. Catching it early has great benefits:

- Alzheimer’s take years to develop. People in the early stages can add to the decision making. They can understand the drug options. They can have some control over their treatment.- The existing drugs work best in the early stages. This may slow damage to the brain.- Future drugs and treatment options. They may be able to prevent permanent damage to the brain as Alzheimer’s advances.

As you can see, the sufferer can greatly improve their quality of life with this early knowledge. Through early testing for Alzheimer’s disease and treatment, they could have a better quality of life for longer. They can be there for their loved ones longer. They can possibly delay or eliminate the need for a nursing home. The duration of the burden to care givers may be eased.

Scientists have found a pattern of word loss in Alzheimer’s patients. This helps when testing for Alzheimer’s disease. It is very consistent. Researchers believe they can identify it by testing for Alzheimer’s disease through word loss alone. Patients will forget words they learned later in their lives. Words that they don’t use very often.

There was a recent study done with Alzheimer’s patients. They interviewed 96 people with the disease. Researchers also quizzed 40 healthy people. All were similar in age. They also had similar cultural and social backgrounds.

They were given the following simple word test. They stopped them after one minute. Here are the questions they answered:

- Name all of the animals you can think of.- Name all of the fruit you can remember.

How many did you list for each?

Those with early Alzheimer’s listed 10 to 15 items in each list. The healthy group listed 20 to 25 items.

We learn words at different ages. Dog and cat are usually learned before the age of 5. Take the word aardvark for another example. It is learned later and is used less often.

Those with early Alzheimer’s disease would tend to remember the words learned earlier in life. They would not think of words like aardvark, zebra, or giraffe.

Do you feel concerned after taking this test and understanding the nature of the word loss? If so, I urge you to see a doctor for more testing. The earlier you are diagnosed, the better off you and your family will be.

They cannot tell the difference between cognitive dementia due to normal aging or Alzheimer’s. It’s possible that the part of the brain where this word loss occurs is the most affected in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

Scientists need to do more testing on other degenerative brain diseases. They need to see if word loss is common in more than just Alzheimer’s.

Testing for Alzheimer’s disease for early detection is a high priority for researchers. In the coming years, there will be more and better ways for testing for Alzheimer’s disease.

In the meantime, you can build up reserves in your brain. This will help you to try to outlive the onset of cognitive dementia. Cognitive dementia is the precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.

Building up your brain makes neural pathways stronger. Harder to damage. Research shows keeping your brain active can delay cognitive dementia. Of course diet and exercise play a huge role.



About the Author

Will you be one of the 35 million living with dementia? Do something NOW to keep your memories – before it’s too late!

Click this link for reviews of the most popular brain trainers. Learn how thousands gave their brain a 10-year rejuvenation. Most over 40 improve.

http://www.brainreview.info/braintrainingreviews










Filed Under: Dementia Testing Questions Tagged With: , , , , , ,