Can Dementia Be Stopped with Early Intervention?
The dementia puzzle is slowly being pieced together. One promising line of research involves mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. Of the 1 million cases of MCI reported each year, some will progress to Alzheimer’s Disease--the most prevalent form--or through other mechanisms. And some will not. To stem the rising tide of reported cases, researchers are honing in on ways to evaluate and possibly ward off this crippling condition through early detection and intervention protocols.
What Are Mild Cognitive Impairment
& Dementia?
Dementia The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America definition: "[A] disorder of the brain which results in the deterioration or loss of functions such as memory, judgment, attentiveness, and other cognitive abilities. It can interfere with an individual's capacity to perform daily functions independently. Dementia can be looked at as an umbrella term, for a group of illnesses with common features, rather than one particular illness." Types include Alzheimer's Disease (the most common form), a vascular variety, Parkinson's disease, as well as many others. Mild Cognitive Impairment The Mayo Clinic says: "Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more pronounced decline of dementia. It involves problems with memory, language, thinking and judgment that are greater than typical age-related changes. If you have mild cognitive impairment, you may be aware that your memory or mental function has "slipped." And your family and close friends may also notice a change. But generally these changes aren't severe enough to interfere with your day-to-day life and usual activities." How They Are Related Mild cognitive impairment increases your risk of later developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, especially when the main difficulty is with memory. But some people with mild cognitive impairment never get worse, and a few eventually get better.
Early Detection May Help
According to the medical journal Neurology, 70% of neurologists said they prescribe Alzheimer’s medications to at least some of their mild cognitive impairment patients, hoping to slow possible decline. Researcher Yonas Geda of the Mayo Clinic saw a 66% increased risk of dementia for people with MCI plus depression, and a nearly 100% increase in risk for those with MCI plus apathy. These findings would support immediate intervention for depression or apathy, according to Geda. The National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association jointly proposed draft guidelines for diagnosing Azheimer’s as well as MCI. Among the suggestions is testing new technologies such as PET scans to look for abnormal amounts of beta-amyloid in the brain. The Mayo Clinic is pursuing a large study on this subject.
Awareness Is Helpful, but
Don’t Panic
Meanwhile, some doctors are already using traditional MRIs or spinal taps to look for warning signs. But experts such as Marilyn Albert, M.D. of Johns Hopkins University are quick to caution that since spinal fluid measurements can vary widely between labs, doctors should proceed cautiously with diagnosis and treatment in this evolving field. The Mayo Clinic’s Ronald Peterson, a pioneer in MCI, states that up to 25% of people dying with no memory problems do harbor beta amyloid. So it may be an indicator, but it is not conclusive.
What You Can Do
The chief of Duke University's Alzheimer's research program and the director of their family behavioral clinic present a
practical and eye opening guide
to avoiding, properly diagnosing and treating this disease.
Bestselling psychologist Mary Pipher, Ph.D provides
helpful strategies
for identifying and bridging the generational misunderstanding that can impede communication.
Stay informed through a reliable scientific source such as the Mayo Clinic. A little misinformation or false advertising by unscrupulous vendors seeking to cash in on fears and anxiety can go a long way to diverting you from sound decision making. Exercise and eat right. It is nearly universally agreed among health care providers and nutritionists that what is good for your heart is also good for your brain. Reduce stress. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms may include headache, forgetfulness, depression, lack of focus, social withdrawal and crying. You can see that this list includes depression, which the Mayo’s Geda linked as a disease accelerator. Share your concerns and any symptoms with your trusted health care provider and family.
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