Neurological Disorders
Alzheimer's Disease
Diagnosis Latest News
Research Begun to Develop a Blood Test for Alzheimer's - [09/22/08]
Summary: Teams from Nottingham's two universities have begun work to develop a blood test for Alzheimer's disease. They are attempting to find biomarkers in the blood that could identify Alzheimer's. They will be comparing blood samples from those with and without Alzheimer's.
Comment: Many people across the world experience dementia, and it can often be difficult to diagnose early on. When the disease progresses to a late stage before it is diagnosed their can be many other more health concerns for the patient, such as more irreversible damage to the brain. Using this blood test physicians could diagnose Alzheimer's early, which can lead to a higher quality of life for the patient.
Read article - Science Daily September 22, 2008
Simplified Brain Scan Method for Alzheimer's Detection - [06/24/08]
Summary: French radiologists have simplified the method of scanning the brain for signs of Alzheimer's disease. This simplified process will hopefully make Alzheimer's detection easier as the current method is time consuming and requires specific expertise, according to study author Olivier Colliot.
Comment: Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease is difficult and the only way to be certain is to examine brain tissue after death. The discovery of a method to diagnose Alzheimer's with more certainty, before death, would be extremely beneficial to patients throughout the world.
Read article - Healthfinder.gov. June 24, 2008.
One in Seven Elderly People Has Dementia - [10/31/07]
Summary: A review of national data revealed that nearly one in seven adults over age 70 has dementia. Most of those with dementia have Alzheimer's disease.
Comment: The survey has implications for screening and diagnosing geriatric patients.
Read article - WebMD. October 31, 2007.
Read article - National Institutes of Health. October 30, 2007.
MRI Best at Mapping Brain Atrophy - [10/29/07]
Summary: Magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) helps researchers create a three-dimensional map of patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. In displaying the differences between the two patient groups, it outperforms other imaging techniques.
Comment: The technology suggests a best practice for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of such diseases.
Read article - ScienceDaily.com. October 29, 2007.
Loss of Taste and Smell - [10/24/07]
Summary: The sensitivity of taste and smell diminishes somewhat with age. However, this loss may also have a treatable cause such as Alzheimer's disease.
Comment: This article by a Mayo Clinic geriatrician addresses why these senses may decrease and how it can be treated.
Read article - Mayo Clinic. October 24, 2007.
Higher Education May Mean Later Onset, Faster Decline - [10/22/07]
Summary: Onset of cognitive decline may be later in dementia patients with higher education. But a new study suggests that once cognitive ability drops, the decline of these patients will be more rapid than in other patients.
Comment: The findings agree with studies that found lower rates of dementia among people with higher education.
Read article - Revolution Health. October 22, 2007.
Read article - WebMD. October 23, 2007.
Blood Test May Predict Early Alzheimer's Disease - [10/15/07]
Summary: A simple blood test may detect Alzheimer's disease two years or more before its onset. Research has proven the test with 90% accuracy.
Comment: The blood test will make diagnosis much easier. Currently physicians diagnose Alzheimer's disease by eliminating other potential causes of the symptoms.
Read article - Revolution Health. October 15, 2007.
Read article - WebMD. October 15, 2007.
Memory Screenings Help Diagnose, Monitor Alzheimer's - [09/30/07]
Summary: Memory screening tests help doctors to assess a patient's cognitive ability. They help in diagnosing and monitoring the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Comment: This article discusses the benefits and limitations of memory screenings, and provides information about Alzheimer's disease.
Read article - Health News Digest. September 30, 2007.
How Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Are Different - [09/27/07]
Summary: Alzheimer's disease and dementia are not the same. Dementia refers to a set of symptoms, whereas Alzheimer's refers to a particular disease that is one possible cause of dementia.
Comment: This article helps clarify the confusion and misunderstanding with the terms Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Read article - MayoClinic.com. September 27, 2007.
New Method Diagnoses Alzheimer's in Early Stages - [09/18/07]
Summary: An international group of researchers proposed new criteria for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. This may allow physicians to diagnose and treat the disease in its early stages.
Comment: The new criteria represent a significant, but more progressive, shift in practice.
Read article - ScienceDaily.com. September 18, 2007.
Read article - Medical News Today. September 19, 2007.