Could Memory Lapses Signal Early Dementia? Ingalls Expert Weighs In

New research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Boston last week shows that recurring memory lapses or so-called “senior moments” might be an early predictor of Alzheimer’s disease.

Cognitive changes so subtle that only the person experiencing it can actually  identify it may one day help doctors detect the earliest forms of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Alzheimer’s researchers are identifying a new category called ‘subjective cognitive decline,’” explains Marvin Zelkowitz, neurologist on staff at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey and president of South Suburban Neurology, Ltd. In Flossmoor.

Subjective cognitive decline is a person’s own sense that his or her memory and thinking skills are slipping – even before others notice it.

Studies presented at the conference show that people with some types of cognitive concerns were more likely to have Alzheimer’s pathology in their brains and then develop dementia later.

“One of the presenters found that people with concerns about memory and organizing abilities are more likely to have amyloid – a protein related to Alzheimer’s disease – in their brains,” Dr. Zelkowitz added.

Another presenter from Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer’s center said a study of healthy older adults in Minnesota produced similar results.

“This research showed study participants with concerns about their memory were more than 50-percent likely to be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, an early phase of dementia,” he said. “With this and other evidence, researchers are starting to believe there may be something to this.”

The good news is that many people who experience similar memory lapses will never develop dementia. Some memory loss is associated with the normal process of aging.

Simple lapses in memory like, “Where did I put the car keys” are to be expected. But people who forget important details of their lives, don’t recognize people they know or get lost on their way home from familiar places may have more serious problems.

Additional research into “subjective cognitive decline” may prove even more helpful in the future to pinpoint those people at greatest risk of dementia and help determine which treatments can delay or prevent Alzheimer’s, he added.

 Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

As many as five million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Symptoms usually first appear after age 60.

Alzheimer’s disease is also the most common form of dementia among older people. (Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning – thinking, remembering and reasoning – to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities.)

Alzheimer’s disease begins slowly, involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. Patients may have trouble remembering things that recently happened or names of people they know. Over time, symptoms get worse: They may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on, patients may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care.

While increasing age is the greatest known risk for Alzheimer’s disease, evidence suggests that the same factors that put people at risk for heart disease may also increase their risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, including lack of physical exercise; smoking; high blood pressure; high cholesterol; and poorly controlled diabetes. Working with your doctor on a plan to control these factors will help protect your heart – and might help reduce your risk of dementia.

Genetics and family history also play a role. An individual’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is higher if a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) has the disease. Women may be more likely to develop the disease, in part because they live longer than men.

On the other hand, factors that may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease include higher levels of formal education; a stimulating job; regular physical activity such as walking; mentally challenging leisure activities such as reading, playing games or playing a musical instrument, and frequent social interactions.

“If you or a loved one starts to show early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, see your doctor right away,” Dr. Zelkowitz added. “The earlier the diagnosis, the better the chance of a longer, productive life. Beginning treatment in the early stages of the disease can help preserve brain function years, even though the underlying disease process cannot be changed.”

An early diagnosis also helps families plan for the future, make living arrangements, take care of financial and legal matters, and develop support networks.

For more information or a referral to a neurologist, call Ingalls Care Connection at 1.800.221.2199.