Depression and Bipolar Disorder May Be Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer; News from the web:

Family members remember some of the early signs of Alzheimer’s in their loved ones quite well. This type of dementia often begins with struggles in communication, lapses in memory, and confusion around everyday problem-solving.

But scientists are now uncovering evidence of another early signal — mood disorders, like depression and bipolar disorder, that begin later in life. While a link between these conditions and Alzheimer’s has long been suspected, what’s been missing is a clear understanding of how the two connect in the brain.

That’s starting to change. A research team from Japan’s National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) recently found significant amounts of tau protein — a hallmark of Alzheimer’s — in the brains of people with late-life mood disorders (LLMDs). Their study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, suggests that these psychiatric symptoms might serve as a warning sign for neurodegenerative disease.

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FDA Approves First Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer; News from the web:

Now doctors have a new tool: an Alzheimer’s blood test. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first test that uses a blood sample to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. The disease, which causes a decline in memory and thinking skills, affects nearly 7 million Americans—and is projected to become more prevalent.

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Early identification is key for Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer; News from the web:

Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, and the risk of developing it doubles every 5 years after an individual turns 65 years old. It is characterized by a continuous decline in completion of familiar tasks, memory loss, and thinking. Risk factors include aging, brain trauma, diabetes, family history, high blood pressure, and smoking.

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Blood test for Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer; News from the web:

A new blood test may identify more than 80% of people with increased likelihood of having amyloid in the brain, a protein that’s a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent study that was presented this week at Boston’s international Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease conference.

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