Signs of dementia may be detectable nine years before diagnosis – study

Robert59

Robert59

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Now I live in Tennesee. Did live in Michigan.
Findings by Cambridge researchers raise possibility of early interventions for those at risk.

Scientists have discovered that it may be possible to spot signs of dementia as early as nine years before patients receive an official diagnosis.

The findings raise the possibility that, in the future, at-risk people could be screened to help select those who could benefit from interventions, or help identify patients suitable for clinical trials for new treatments.

https://www.theguardian.com/society...-detectable-nine-years-before-diagnosis-study
 

I bookmarked that to read a little later. But recently while looking for something else I actually found some tests that are used to screen for dementia! I’m going to study up for when the time comes. They are:
GPCOG, Mini-Cog, AD-8, Verbal/aFluency Test,, Boston Naming 8.
Just to be ready for when the Dr springs it on us!
 
In my late 50s I posted to a work-related group that I was concerned about certain cognitive changes. Some people gave helpful hints. Others said, "You're too young to be experiencing that."

That was more than 9 years ago....
 

Early signs and treatment are Very important. My Sister and BIL began to decline 6 or 7 years ago, but refused to go to a doctor. As a result, they both declined rapidly about 2 years ago. My Sister died this Spring, and the BIL probably won't be around much longer, They lost all ability to think clearly, and could/cannot even feed themselves. Their final months were/are miserable....but I doubt they had enough cognitive ability to realize what was happening.
 
My daughter worries about my memory and was afraid I may have dementia, so she made me an appointment with a Doctor to see if I have signs of dementia. Thankfully I don't. Just the other day she made an appointment for my husband. I hope he does good too. Of course, she had me tested first. I laughed because he has a lot of trouble remembering anything!lol
 
Don M. said:
Early signs and treatment are Very important. My Sister and BIL began to decline 6 or 7 years ago, but refused to go to a doctor. As a result, they both declined rapidly about 2 years ago. My Sister died this Spring, and the BIL probably won't be around much longer, They lost all ability to think clearly, and could/cannot even feed themselves. Their final months were/are miserable....but I doubt they had enough cognitive ability to realize what was happening.
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Same here. Lost my husband 2 years ago to dementia. It was on us before I knew what had happened. He had odd behavior but I didn't put 2 and 2 together. I should have since I lost my dad and uncle to ALZ.
 
shedevil7953 said:
Same here. Lost my husband 2 years ago to dementia. It was on us before I knew what had happened. He had odd behavior but I didn't put 2 and 2 together. I should have since I lost my dad and uncle to ALZ.
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A friend of mine went through the same thing ....... It came on him quickly , he didn't live long afterwards. Now his wife has it. She seems to be lingering, and ...wandering . Her daughter sleeps with her.
 
Sassycakes said:
My daughter worries about my memory and was afraid I may have dementia, so she made me an appointment with a Doctor to see if I have signs of dementia. Thankfully I don't. Just the other day she made an appointment for my husband. I hope he does good too. Of course, she had me tested first. I laughed because he has a lot of trouble remembering anything!lol
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How old are you?
 
From my personal experience with family members, I agree signs of dementia may be detectable nine years before diagnosis. It is a gradual decline of what I have seen of repeating the same things and asking the same questions. They talk less and don’t want to say something that can make them look idiotic. Saw my grandfather and my father go through it, sure am hoping that doesn’t happen to me.
 
Don M. said:
Early signs and treatment are Very important. My Sister and BIL began to decline 6 or 7 years ago, but refused to go to a doctor. As a result, they both declined rapidly about 2 years ago. My Sister died this Spring, and the BIL probably won't be around much longer, They lost all ability to think clearly, and could/cannot even feed themselves. Their final months were/are miserable....but I doubt they had enough cognitive ability to realize what was happening.
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Sorry to hear that about your sister and your BIL, @Don M. ! May your sister rest in peace.
 
Geezerette said:
I bookmarked that to read a little later. But recently while looking for something else I actually found some tests that are used to screen for dementia! I’m going to study up for when the time comes. They are:
GPCOG, Mini-Cog, AD-8, Verbal/aFluency Test,, Boston Naming 8.
Just to be ready for when the Dr springs it on us!
Click to expand...
A common test I’ve heard described consists of the testee drawing a clock face with hands pointing at a pre-determined time.
 
Lawrence said:
From my personal experience with family members, I agree signs of dementia may be detectable nine years before diagnosis. It is a gradual decline of what I have seen of repeating the same things and asking the same questions. They talk less and don’t want to say something that can make them look idiotic. Saw my grandfather and my father go through it, sure am hoping that doesn’t happen to me.
Click to expand...
I've seen the same signs in loved ones, friends, and acquaintances, who seem to be broadcasting loud and clear that they have entered the dementia spiral. One thing they all seem to have in common is that they repeat the same things over and over again, sometimes just a few minutes apart. Another thing is loss of short-term memory. Yesterday, I was supposed to meet a good friend at a restaurant, and she never showed up. She was waiting at another restaurant, even though she was the one who suggested it. We finally connected by phone, I was still in my car (having left the restaurant after waiting for a half hour), and we agreed that I would pick her up. But she forgot where she was supposed to be waiting for me! We finally connected and did make it to the restaurant, where we had a lovely lunch and visit, but it breaks my heart to see this happening to a brilliant mind. And she knows it is happening; she worries about it and very often refers to the fact that her memory doesn't work any more,. But there is nothing you can do about it. Sadly, it just happens.
 
The people I know of also were heavy drinkers which could be AN issue not 'the' issue. Decades ago heavy or regular alcohol use was more common or accepted. I don't think it's the only variable. That's the thing there could a be a perfect storm of factors forming so perhaps removing one of them equation could help.
 
My mother had vascular dementia and my father-in-law suffered from Alzheimer's. FIL passed from pneumonia before the AZ got too bad. They had considerable cognitive losses of very different sorts. For instance, Mom's short-term memory was fine but she became worried and paranoid. My FIL's mind didn't go there, but five minutes after he ate he not only couldn't remember what he'd had for breakfast, he had no idea when he'd last eaten.

The Guardian article reinforces what many of us have observed in loved ones. We notice their brains slipping well before the losses interfere with their everyday lives.

I'm not sure how helpful "early intervention" will be unless it involves clinical trials and help for their caregivers. I'm so grateful for good Assisted Living care.
 
rgp said:
How long have you been doing this ?
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For many years. Eat them every morning So far my memory is "scary good". I'm like the actuary for the family - hub asks me names and dates for years ago and who did what when at our business, etc. Really believe we haven't explored the incredible benefits of blueberries. Mostly eat them fresh, but do eat the frozen wild blueberries sometimes - they probably have even more brain enhancing properties.
 

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