More than 5 million Americans and 26 million people worldwide are diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, the most common form of dementia.
The first new guidelines for diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease in nearly 30 years establish earlier stages of the mind-robbing disease, paving the way for spotting and possibly treating the devastating affects of the condition much sooner than they are now.
The change reflects a modern view that Alzheimer's is a spectrum of mental decline, with damage that can start many years before the symptoms appear. The new guidelines describe three phases: early brain changes, mild cognitive impairment and finally, full-blown Alzheimer's.
At this time the guidelines do not advise doctors to change how they evaluate and treat patients. Despite the advancements in brain scans, blood and spinal fluid tests that claim to show early signs of Alzheimer's, the guidelines indicate that they are not ready for prime time and should remain as tools for research only.
The new guidelines were published April 19th, 2011 in 'Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
Click the link for the full story:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/apr/19/new-guidelines-define-pre-alzheimers-disease/
The first new guidelines for diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease in nearly 30 years establish earlier stages of the mind-robbing disease, paving the way for spotting and possibly treating the devastating affects of the condition much sooner than they are now.
The change reflects a modern view that Alzheimer's is a spectrum of mental decline, with damage that can start many years before the symptoms appear. The new guidelines describe three phases: early brain changes, mild cognitive impairment and finally, full-blown Alzheimer's.
At this time the guidelines do not advise doctors to change how they evaluate and treat patients. Despite the advancements in brain scans, blood and spinal fluid tests that claim to show early signs of Alzheimer's, the guidelines indicate that they are not ready for prime time and should remain as tools for research only.
The new guidelines were published April 19th, 2011 in 'Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
Click the link for the full story:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/apr/19/new-guidelines-define-pre-alzheimers-disease/
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