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Printer Friendly Print New research suggests that recognising early impairments may make Alzheimer's a treatable disease

New research suggests that recognising early impairments may make Alzheimer's a treatable disease

March 16, 1999

Alzheimer's Disease need no longer be a death sentence but will become more treatable, if detected in its early stages. Evidence on brain scans, in conjunction with performance on psychological test showing mild cognitive impairments (MCI) like slight memory loss, pinpoints more people at risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease. A study at SCP will use new brain imaging techniques to assess the impact of drug treatment given when mild cognitive impairments appear, for delaying the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease, a form of dementia, affects up to 25 million people worldwide. In the UK, alone about £5 billion is needed every year to care for people with the disease. There are currently two treatments available that delay the progression of symptoms by increasing transmission of the chemical acetylcholine in the brain. These drugs - cognition enhancers - have most effect when used in the early stages of Alzheimer's and may be useful before symptoms of Alzheimer's are apparent.




Performance on neuropsychological tests can indicate mild cognitive impairments - memory loss, difficulty learning new things - but these are also signs of normal ageing. Visual evidence of atrophy can be detected on brain images and can support a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI ) - a new imaging technique - is already successfully used to map the effects of antipsychotic drugs on the brain in schizophrenia. In Alzheimer's disease, fMRI may prove useful in mapping the drug effects of the cognitive enhancers and in detecting early changes in the brain that may predict dementia.



Institute of Psychiatry



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