Subjective assessment of Alzheimer's often correct

Seniors often recognize first signs of dementia themselves

27/05/2014

Where did I put the key? What was the name of my neighbor again? Did I close the door to the garden earlier? When older people notice first signs of brain organic Alzheimer's disease, they are often right with this impression. This could now show scientists of the University of Kentucky, according to the news agency „dpa“ More than 7500 men over 60 years had been continuously investigated.

Certain degree of age forgetfulness is normal
Everyone forgets where his house key has been put down or spontaneously can not remember the name of the neighbor. If forgetfulness happens only once in a while, this is by no means a sign of dementia, just as a certain amount of age forgetfulness is completely normal as brain performance diminishes with increasing age. Small memory problems, difficulties to concentrate on a task for a longer time and to remember things do not always mean the same thing. However, if the forgetfulness occurs more frequently or more intensively, this should absolutely be taken seriously - because then it could well be Alzheimer's.

Test subjects often value their memory performance correctly
The saying „No reason to worry“ is not always appropriate in this context. Instead, researchers at the University of Kentucky have now shown that older people often feel right when they first notice symptoms of Alzheimer's. As the „dpa“ For more than 7500 men over the age of 60 years, the US scientists have been continuously investigating a long-term study. At a first follow-up visit, they asked the same question to half of the subjects - who initially had no evidence of dementia - „Have you noticed any change in your memory since you were last here??“. The result: answered the previously „healthy“ Men with the question „Yes“, In subsequent studies, there were actually more signs of conspicuous cognitive dropouts, the journal writes „Psychology Today“ in their current June issue.

Soon, faster intervention in the aging process possible?
Accordingly, these could „dropouts“ certainly signs of an onset of Alzheimer's disease - but only if they worsen over time or appear in more and more everyday situations. However, the finding that the subjective assessment of Alzheimer's symptoms is often correct in many older people is very valuable to scientists. Because this could possibly help people at risk of Alzheimer's, to identify the disease earlier: „If people themselves realize that memory performance and thinking could be early markers of Alzheimer's risk, we may be able to intervene earlier in the aging process to postpone and / or reduce the effects of cognitive memory disorders“, said Erin Abner, assistant professor at the „Sanders-Brown Center on Aging“ the University of Kentucky.