Early Warning Signs Of Alzheimer’s Disease Uncovered: A Breakthrough In Detection

Scientists have discovered an early-warning sign for Alzheimer’s disease that they hope may support earlier and more effective treatment. This breakthrough comes at a crucial time, as around 5.8 million Americans are currently living with this progressive disease. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, leading to significant memory loss and cognitive decline that affect critical areas of the brain responsible for thought and language.

Research indicates that Alzheimer’s disease is primarily caused by an abnormal buildup of proteins in and around brain cells. However, the exact triggers of this process remain unclear. While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, various medications have been developed to alleviate symptoms and potentially slow disease progression, particularly when diagnosed early.

In a study published in The Lancet: Neurology journal, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) revealed a significant early symptom that may occur in up to 1 in 10 Alzheimer’s cases: unusual vision problems. This condition, known as posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), impacts a person's ability to gauge distances, differentiate between moving and stationary objects, and perform everyday tasks like writing and picking up dropped items, all while maintaining normal eye examination results.

The research involved an examination of 1,000 patients from 16 different countries diagnosed with PCA. Alarming findings revealed that 94 percent of those with PCA also exhibited some form of Alzheimer’s disease biomarker. This contrasts with previous studies, where only 70 percent of patients experiencing memory loss—often associated with Alzheimer’s—showed biomarkers for the disease. This highlights the pressing need for increased awareness and understanding of PCA among both clinicians and patients.

Marianne Chapleau, the study's co-first author and a researcher at the UCSF Department of Neurology, emphasized the necessity of increasing awareness about PCA. "We need more awareness of PCA so that it can be flagged by clinicians," she stated. Most patients typically consult their optometrist upon experiencing visual symptoms and are often referred to an ophthalmologist, who may also fail to recognize PCA. According to Chapleau, there is a pressing need for better diagnostic tools in clinical settings to identify these patients early and provide them with appropriate treatment.

Furthermore, additional research into the underlying mechanisms of PCA is crucial. This knowledge will not only enhance patient care but will also contribute to a deeper understanding of the processes that drive Alzheimer’s. Gil Rabinovici, the study's lead author, noted, "It’s critical that doctors learn to recognize the syndrome so patients can receive the correct diagnosis, counseling, and care."

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