Signs of dementia can be detected 9 years before diagnosis, study finds

Scientists at the University of Cambridge discovered that dementia can show signs 9 years before an official diagnosis. This opens up the possibility that, in the future, people susceptible to the syndrome may undergo screening programs to be referred to appropriate treatment, within a shorter period of time. curtos than what happens today. Currently, there are few effective treatments for dementia.

Posted by

João Caminoto

October 13, 2022 16:36 AM

The main characteristics of Demencia are impaired memory and thinking, loss of executive functions and changes in behavior and personality.

According to the study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, patients with Demencia presented somepromecognitive development several years before his symptoms became “obvious” enough for an official diagnosis.

The researchers' conclusion could be an important step towards reducing damage caused by the degenerative disease, and also towards developing future solutions. In the assessment of the associate director of research at the Alzheimer Society, Richard Oklaey:

“This opens up the possibility of screening programs in the future to help identify people who are at risk and who may benefit from interventions, and identify more people suitable for clinical trials for new dementia treatments that are so desperately needed.”

Prevention: what is known

Are dementia and Alzheimer's the same thing? Understand the framework (UOL)

Today, dementia is considered a global epidemic, affecting more than 55 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)
This neurodegenerative disorder is expected to affect three times the number of adults over 40 years of age in the world by 2050, according to research carried out in 204 countries and published by The Lancet magazine in this year. (Mail Braziliense)
Although the phenomenon of increasing cases is associated with aging, the disease is not a natural consequence of getting older.
In Latin American countries such as Brazil, it is estimated that 56% of risk factors for dementia can be prevented. (Folha de S.Paulo)
7 habits can reduce the risk of conditions by up to 43%. They are: staying active; adopt a healthy diet; avoid being overweight; do not smoke; maintain adequate blood pressure; control cholesterol and blood sugar levels. (USP Newspaper)

Symptoms and risk factors

Freepik

The top 10 risk factors for dementia are:

education level
Hearing Loss
hypertension
alcohol consumption
obesity
active smoking
depression
social isolation
physical inactivity
diabetes

Source: Hospital das Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA)

The initial signs and symptoms of dementia variam in each case, but the loss of memory curto This term usually catches the attention of doctors during a first consultation.

Despite being more common among people over 65 years of age, dementia is not part of the natural aging process and can affect anyone. The propensity to develop the disorder is greater among some people.

Freepik

Curto Curatorship

Risk of dementia is greater for black people than for white people, finds British study (Folha de S.Paulo)
Alzheimer's: understand how the disease damages the brain and its symptoms (UOL)
What is vascular dementia and how it differs from Alzheimer's (Folha de S.Paulo)
Around 50% of dementia cases in Brazil could be prevented, says unprecedented study (GZH)

Film “My Father” brings the emotional states of those who are losing their memory (USP Newspaper) Watch below:

This post was last modified on October 13, 2022 16:53 pm

João Caminoto

Journalist with more than 30 years of experience, I held various positions - from reporter to international correspondent to editorial director - in several publications, such as Estadão, Broadcast, Época, BBC, Veja and Folha. I feel privileged to have embraced this profession. I am in love with my family and Corinthians.