People in their 60s are hit hardest by Alzheimer's as it progresses more quickly. May be that patients diagnosed after 80 have some kind of 'resistance' to condition By Claire Bates Published: 12:08 GMT, 3 August 2012 | Updated: 12:12 GMT, 3 August 2012 People who develop Alzheimer's symptoms in their 60s and 70s, are more likely to decline quickly compared to those diagnosed in very old age, researchers say.
A team from the University of California said the 'younger elderly' showed faster rates of brain tissue loss and cognitive decline than Alzheimer patients who were over 80 years old. The findings have profound implications for both diagnosing the degenerative condition and efforts to find new treatments. Early-onset: Author Terry Pratchett revealed when he was 59 that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Study author Dr Dominic Holland, said: 'One of the key features for the clinical determination of AD is its relentless progressive course. 'Patients typically show marked deterioration year after year.
MS hope: Alzheimer's disease molecule can actually REVERSE multiple sclerosis, say scientists after shock discovery. Maligned molecule found to have beneficial anti-inflammatory effect By Daily Mail Reporter Published: 10:43 GMT, 3 August 2012 | Updated: 11:11 GMT, 3 August 2012 A molecule that causes Alzheimer’s disease could reverse paralysis caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), a study has found.
The much-maligned molecule, known as A-beta, has until now been known as the chief culprit behind Alzheimer’s. But it is also found in multiple-sclerosis lesions, which occur when immune cells invade the brain and spinal cord and attack the insulating coatings of nerve cells. The nerve signals then get mixed up leading to blindness, loss of muscle control and difficulties with speech, thought and attention. A woman with multiple sclerosis: The progressive condition attacks the nerve cells and over time can leave sufferers wheel-chair bound Scientists from Stanford University in the United States wanted to investigate the role the molecule played in MS.
He said: 'A-beta is made throughout our bodies all of the time. Protein Tweak May Trigger Alzheimer’s. Dementia: Can Alzheimer's disease be delayed by a chemical found in PINE CONES? Compound found to prevent formation of plaques that stop brain cells from working effectively in Alzheimer's patients By Claire Bates Published: 09:29 GMT, 2 August 2012 | Updated: 10:21 GMT, 2 August 2012 A once-a-day tablet that harnesses a chemical found in pine cones shows great promise in both preventing and slowing the progress of Alzheimer's disease.
The drug, known as NIC5-15, has been shown in animal studies to be effective in preventing the formation of amyloid plaques. These are believed to coat the brain cells stopping them from working effectively. A chemical compound found in pine cones could slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease in the brain The degenerative disease is the most common form of dementia and affects more than 300,000 people in the UK. Early symptoms include minor memory problems and forgetting the right words. It is estimated that it affects on in 14 people over the age of 65.
Author Terry Pratchett is a high profile person with the disease. Ten-minute Alzheimer's test to spot disease in earliest stages before brain is badly damaged. By Fiona Macrae Science Correspondent Published: 23:05 GMT, 21 May 2012 | Updated: 23:05 GMT, 21 May 2012 A ten-minute memory test that picks up Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in their earliest stages is available for use in GPs’ surgeries from today.
The test distinguishes between normal forgetfulness and the more dangerous memory lapses that can signal dementia. Early diagnosis would allow patients to receive drug treatment when it would help them the most, letting them work and live independently for longer. Quick: A simple ten-minute test on a computer will effectively screen patients for early signs of Alzheimer's and allow faster treatment Barbara Sahakian, the Cambridge University professor who helped develop the CANTABmobile test, said that to catch people before the brain became too badly damaged, the computer program should be used to screen everyone over 65.
The quick test is designed to identify memory lapses that occur very early in the onset of dementia.