Certain changes in the cerebrospinal fluid may indicate long before the onset of Alzheimer’s
January 28th, 2012 | 
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Begins to shine the light at the end of the tunnel. Seeking a better way to identify the onset of Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia that affects millions of people around the world, researchers have found a marker of brain changes that occur five to ten years before the onset of the disease, making it possible to delay and even halt their development. It is a step toward the improvement of millions of patients, their families and the community at large.
According to data from the Alzheimer’s Association, this condition, characterized by progressive loss of irretrievable memory and other intellectual abilities, represents 60 to 80% of all dementia cases. Today, in the United States alone, suffer approximately 5.4 million people. Worldwide, the number of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease is 18 million. And it is estimated that by 2025 this number will double, meaning that 34 million people suffer from this condition. Imagine the magnitude of the impact of Alzheimer’s, millions of patients and millions of families affected.
With this new step in early detection of Alzheimer’s, there are millions of people who will be eternally grateful to the studies conducted by a team led by Dr. Peder Buchhave, Lund University and the University of Skane, Sweden. According to research, a decrease in the levels of specific components of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain and spinal cord in patients who have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s is a sign that could be detected years before symptoms develop with the commonly associated.
It is a significant development, since it will provide impetus to the use of disease modifying therapies, designed to work best if applied when the patient is still in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Markers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) would:
- Identifying individuals at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s in the future, at least 5 to 10 years before dementia is declared
- Diagnosing the disease earlier and more accurate
- Stimulate the development of therapies that can be applied before the degeneration of brain neurons to be extended declare dementia
The European study echoes similar research conducted in the USA, as reported by researchers at the National Institutes of Health in 2010. All research points to try to detect Alzheimer’s early. Like most drugs (medicines) for the disease developed early or work before symptoms develop, it is vital to identify individuals at high risk of developing dementia for best results with treatment.
Did you know that the Latino community is particularly susceptible to Alzheimer’s? This is due to obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes, high incidence in our population, may also be risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other dementias. For that reason, it is important to be aware of the signs that begin to indicate that something is wrong with one of our loved ones.
Remember the warning signs of Alzheimer’s:
- Memory changes that affect everyday life.
- The person finds it difficult to plan their activities or solve problems.
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks (in the home or workplace).
- Disorientation in relation to time and place.
- Trouble understanding visual images and how objects relate to each other.
- Problems with language, either spoken or written.
- Loss of items not to put in place. Inability to remember what he has done before.
- It is losing the ability to make decisions.
- Isolation, lack of participation and interest in social events.
- Changes in personality and mood.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is time to seek medical help as soon as possible. You see, in Alzheimer’s disease, early detection is key. Fortunately, researchers do not rely on this effort and are slowly moving in the fight against this terrible disease, bringing something as important as the hope for the future will be better.
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