Forgetfulness, disorientation, confusion – by the time such symptoms become noticeable, dementia has often already progressed. The later the disease is detected, the more difficult it is to treat it. Although it can never be cured, it can at least be slowed down with certain medications.
New blood test predicts risk of dementia
This makes it all the more important to diagnose dementia as early as possible. A blood test that scientists are now writing about in the journal “Nature Aging” could help. This detects certain markers for the disease 15 years before a clinical diagnosis is made.
The team examined data from around 50,000 healthy Brits and observed them over 14 years. It found that some markers in the blood changed when a dementia diagnosis was made later – at least ten years beforehand. Over 1,400 of the participants received this diagnosis over the course of 14 years. The accuracy was around 90 percent.
“Our findings have important implications for early detection and interventions in dementia,” writes the University of Warwick team. Thanks to the new findings, the risk of dementia can be predicted up to 15 years in advance.
Alzheimer’s expert: “Promising”
“We have seen fantastic progress in the development of blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease in recent months,” Sheona Scales, research director at Alzheimer’s Research UK, who was not involved in the new analysis, told the UK’s Science Media Center. “This new study adds to the growing body of evidence that measuring the levels of certain proteins in the blood of healthy people could accurately predict dementia before symptoms develop.” Such blood tests are “promising” – but are pending their use further investigations are necessary.
Harbingers of dementia
Dementia causes impairments that affect memory, thinking, language and orientation, writes the portal “Dementz-behandeln.de”. Changes in social behavior and personality can also be symptoms. These also include the following:
Forgetfulness Concentration problems Impaired thinking Difficulty with everyday activities Speech problems Orientation problems Mood swings Changes in behavior and personality
How to prevent Alzheimer’s
We have put together twelve risk factors that everyone can pay attention to in order to prevent Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia:
1. Movement: What’s good for your heart is also good for your brain. This includes getting enough exercise – at least 2.5 hours per week is ideal.
2. Mental Fitness: Learn new things – even as you get older. This keeps your brain busy. Whether it’s a musical instrument, a language or using a computer, try something new.
3. Healthy diet: Follow the classic Mediterranean diet. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, olive oil and nuts. Choose fish over red meat.
4. Social contacts: Activities are more fun as a couple or in a group and your gray cells are challenged. Arrange to meet up to do sports, play music, play cards or cook together.
5. Reduce excess weight: Be careful not to weigh too many kilos. A healthy diet and regular exercise will help you with this.
6. Enough sleep: Make sure you get good, sufficient sleep so that the brain can break down harmful substances and recover.
7. Don’t smoke: Smoking also damages your brain. Stop smoking, it’s never too late.
8. Avoid Head Injuries: Take care of your head in everyday life and during sport and, for example, wear a helmet when riding a bike.
9. Check high blood pressure: Have your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure should definitely be treated.
10. Check Diabetes: Keep an eye on your blood sugar levels. If it is permanently too high, you should take action in consultation with your doctor.
11. Treat Depression: Take good care of yourself. If you feel listless or depressed for a long period of time, it makes sense to see your doctor to clarify the cause. Depression should not go untreated.
12. Pay attention to hearing loss: Take it seriously if you notice that your hearing is getting worse. With a hearing aid you can easily correct declining hearing ability.
These tips are taken from the brochure “Preventing Alzheimer’s – Live Healthily, Age Healthily,” in which all points are explained in detail.