Alzheimer's Disease: Recognising Early Signs
Memory loss is only one piece of a larger picture.
Dr. Laurent Vidal
Neurologist
Repeated questions, difficulty managing finances, getting lost in familiar places, and personality changes are more revealing than occasional forgetfulness.
Diagnostic process
Cognitive testing, brain imaging, and biomarkers (CSF amyloid-beta and tau, or PET imaging) confirm the disease and rule out reversible causes such as thyroid dysfunction or vitamin B12 deficiency.
Current treatments
Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine offer modest symptomatic benefit. Anti-amyloid antibodies (lecanemab, donanemab) modestly slow progression in early disease but carry risks of brain swelling.
Lifestyle factors
Aerobic exercise, the Mediterranean or MIND diet, social engagement, and management of hypertension and diabetes reduce risk and may delay symptoms.
Family caregivers need support too: respite services and support groups protect against burnout.
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