Simple Tests May Hint at Alzheimer's 18 Years Before Diagnosis

Alzheimer's is a major concern for people, especially as they attempt to plan for future retirement health costs. This is a real big issue for women.

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Simple Tests May Hint at Alzheimer's 18 Years Before Diagnosis
2 Min Read June 27th, 2015 Updated:September 13th, 2019

UPDATED September 13, 2019

Every month there seems to be more advances in Alzheimer’s research. Just recently it was announced that a newly developed blood test can be highly accurate at identifying Alzheimer's before symptoms arise.

According to Science News, researchers now report that they can measure the levels of the  protein amyloid beta in the blood and use such levels to predict whether the protein has accumulated in the brain. This can be a key step toward an accurate blood test which can diagnose a person who might be on track to develop Alzheimer's before the symptoms arise.

A new study suggests a relatively easy way to gauge whether people are more likely to wind up with an Alzheimer's diagnosis as far as 18 years down the road: memory and thinking tests.

A study out of the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago tracked more than 2,000 people with an average age of 73 who did not have an Alzheimer's diagnosis when the study began, explains HealthDay News.

They took mental skills tests every three years over a nearly two-decade span, and it turns out that those who scored low on the tests had a greater chance of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

At the time they took the tests, though, they showed no obvious symptoms of looming trouble, save for those low test scores. What's more, the eventual Alzheimer's patients showed progressively worse results in the testing.

"The changes in thinking and memory that precede obvious symptoms of Alzheimer's disease begin decades before."

 Kumar Rajan, author of the study in Neurology.

He says the findings should be interpreted generally—that low test scores shouldn't be used to predict an individual's risk. But such tests might someday become a routine part of health maintenance for those in middle age, notes Time.

For those who fare poorly, it might be wise to try to take preventative efforts. Rajan plans to next study what some of those efforts might be, perhaps even simple things such as crossword puzzles or increased social interaction.

(In the meantime, those who snore might be at greater risk, too.)

This article originally appeared on Newser: Simple Tests May Hint at Alzheimer's 18 Years Before Diagnosis - http://www.newser.com/story/208858/simple-tests-may-hint-at-alzheimers-18-years-before-diagnosis.html?utm_source=part&utm_medium=foxnews&utm_campaign=rss_health_syn

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An LTC News author focusing on long-term care and aging.

LTC News Contributor James Kelly

James Kelly

Contributor since August 21st, 2017

Editor's Note

An essential part of planning for a successful future retirement is a plan for long-term care. Longevity means a large risk you will need help at some point, either at home or in a facility. As we get older we face a larger risk of cognitive decline as well. You can prepare your family and finances from the costs and burdens of aging with an affordable Long-Term Care Insurance policy.  Remember, being a caregiver is hard, especially for family members. Paid care drains savings and adversely impacts your income and lifestyle. An affordable LTC policy gives you access to your choice of quality care either at home or in a facility.  

 

The key is to plan before you retire when premiums are very affordable. Start your research by finding the current cost of care in your state by using the LTC News Map by clicking here.

 

Always use an experienced Long-Term Care Insurance specialist. Find one by clicking here.

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