A new Alzheimer’s study has provided evidence that a bio-marker test can be used to reliably determine an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis much earlier than previously thought.
The fascinating news about this article is that a diagnosis can be made from spinal fluid before many symptoms have appeared.
After a 5 year-follow up, the study predicted 100% of patients with mild cognitive impairment who progressed to full-blown Alzheimer’s.
The test also found that 72% of people with mild cognitive impairment and 36% of cognitively normal adults showed early signs of Alzheimer’s pathology in these spinal fluid tests. This suggests that a diagnosis may be made much earlier than previously thought.
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This brings the Question?
Would you really want to know?
I’m not totally sure what my answer would be. I think it would be “Yes” and “No”
I’d like to make a few of the decisions that my Mom was unable to make until it was too late. Yet, the prospect of knowing what’s ahead — that’s a little unnerving.
What would you do? Have the test– or not?
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About this Book
We have long underestimated the person who has dementia. Each one’s ability to reach out in familiar ways certainly diminishes– yet he or she is always able to experience the deep benefits that come from being in a vital relationship with others.
Inside Alzheimer’s tells how dozens of persons with dementia and their sharing of wisdom, humor and life’s teachings led Ms. Pearce to the six basic principles of connection–how one person connects with another: Intend a connection, Free yourself of judgment, Love, Open to receive love, Silence and Thankfulness. Internalizing these principles has empowered hundreds of family, friends, and professionals to create moments of connection with persons, regardless of how advanced the dementia.
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