He progressive aging of the population leads to an increase in cases of cognitive impairment and increases the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease which is, in turn, the most important degenerative dementia that exists. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), Alzheimer’s disease has also become the disease seventh cause of death in the world and a public health problem.
Currently one in three older people die from Alzheimer’s disease or dementiaafter experiencing slow, progressive cognitive deterioration that affects areas such as orientation, memory, language or motor skills. This is why the study of its causes and the factors that influence its development has become a priority for medical researchers, who are working on the development of an early detection system that increases the effectiveness of future treatments and the quality of lives of patients and their families.
Symptoms and course of the disease
Alzheimer’s disease usually develops from 70 years oldwhen the 8% of the population enters the risk of suffering from the disease. From 80 years old the risk increases and can affect between 15 and 20% of the population. However, there is the exceptional possibility (less than 1%) to develop the disease prematurely, from 40 years old.
THE first symptoms of Alzheimer’s diseases are variable, although the most frequent, explains the Dr. Rafael Arroyo, Head of the Department of Neurology at Olympia and the Quirónsalud Madrid and Ruber Juan Bravo University Hospitalsare “the oversight which are generally reported by the patient’s relatives, some orientation changeseither word search problemswhich is also related to changes in behavior and character“.
“When these symptoms begin to have an impact, even in a very slight way, on daily life, we can suspect that we could be facing an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease,” he adds, recommending always consult a specialist who has experience in this disease to ensure this.
Can Alzheimer’s disease be prevented?
THE prevention and the early diagnosis are the two key points on which the investigation on the disease in recent years. As Dr. Arroyo explains, “significant progress has been made thanks to biomarkers. “We measure toxic proteins which, if not the cause, participate in the neurodegenerative process.”
Concretely, we are talking about two proteins: beta-amyloid and Taubiomarkers that can be obtained through the study of cerebrospinal fluid in very specialized laboratories, or by means of PET. Techniques that are little used, but which the doctor hopes, “will become widespread to allow earlier and earlier detection”.
“Currently, power is sought Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms appear and start treating patients in whom we have found clear and obvious biomarkers of the development of the disease”, emphasizes the neurologist, emphasizing the importance of “realizing neurocognitive assessments specialized ones in which small signs of the onset of the disease can be observed, even asymptomatic“.
Looking for a predictive model
In 2007, the Quirónsalud Group launched a database For collect information from people who came to consult for cognitive problems. A base which already has information on more than 3,000 patients, and whose objective is to create a predictive model integrating all possible factors to be able to advance the detection of this disease, even before symptoms appear.
“In addition to family historyTHE age and the apathy appear as risk factors in the development of mild cognitive disorders and Alzheimer’s disease while, on the contrary, a high level of education acts as a protective factor, since it increases what we call cognitive reservethereby helping to mitigate deterioration,” says Dr. Arroyo.
“Future research should aim at the systematic and standardized collection of this type of data to improve reliability and applicability of these predictive tools”, explains the expert.
The importance of early diagnosis
Despite the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, there is a striking rate of underdiagnosis which makes it difficult to initiate early treatments that could slow the progression of cognitive decline and improve patients’ quality of life.
“One of the main challenges to improve the treatment of this disease is always the early detection“, even in patients who do not present symptoms, treatments can then be more effective”, insists the doctor, assuring that this is one of the reasons why treatment results are moderatein addition to the lack of medicine which alters proteins considered vitally important in the development of the disease.
Early detection of symptoms is also vital, Quirónsalud recalls, to guide family members. It’s a illness with a very significant family and social burden and correct information and support from the family so that they know how to respond is of paramount importance to the patient’s life.
