By Dr. Macie Smith
The most significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s is age: the older we get, the more likely we are to develop the disease. U.S. Census statistics show that 10,000 Baby Boomers are turning 65 every day and that by 2030, there will be more than 70 million people over the age of 65. This means the number of people living with Alzheimer’s will likely increase in the coming years.
The good news is that there are a number of advancements, including new Alzheimer’s treatments, that can help slow the progression of the disease. Additionally, there are new ways to diagnose Alzheimer’s earlier. Early detection is critical in improving patient outcomes.
Medications
Last July, the FDA approved Lecanemab (brand name Leqembi), an antibody intravenous (IV) infusion therapy that targets and removes beta-amyloid from the brain. This helps reduce cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer’s. It is the first traditionally approved treatment that addresses the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s and changes the course of the disease in a meaningful way for people in the early stages. Donanemab (Kisunla) is a similar drug, which received FDA approval in July 2024.
These are the newest drugs to be approved to slow the decline of Alzheimer’s. Other medications currently being used include cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine and brexpiprazole.
Diagnostic Tests
In addition to new drugs, there are a number of tests that can help identify Alzheimer’s disease earlier.
A CT scan involves combining a series of X-rays taken from different angles of the head to produce images of a person’s brain. CT scans are the most common type of brain scan used in dementia diagnosing.
They are useful for ruling out other conditions that cause similar symptoms to dementia and at showing changes to brain structure that occur in diseases like Alzheimer’s.
CT scans can show:
• stroke related damage
• brain shrinkage (atrophy) and blood vessel changes seen in dementia
• signs of a brain tumor
• build-up of fluid or blood in the brain
MRI scans use a strong magnet and radio waves to produce detailed images of inside the body. A brain MRI can help doctors look for:
• brain shrinking (atrophy)
• damage following a stroke
• problems with blood vessels
• inflammation
• tumors
• damage following an injury
In Alzheimer’s disease, sections of the brain called the hippocampi are often affected first. A doctor will use an MRI to see if there are visible changes/degeneration to these structures, which can help to diagnose Alzheimer’s in its early stages.
PET scans can detect changes in glucose metabolism which affect brain activity, presence of amyloid proteins which cause Alzheimer’s, oxygen metabolism, and blood flow, all of which can reveal abnormalities of brain function.
By injecting or swallowing safe radioactive dyes which bind to molecules in the brain, the scanner can produce an image of where the target molecules are by detecting the dyes.
The development of blood tests to detect biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s is also helpful in early detection of the disease. One of the first stages of Alzheimer’s disease involves formation of toxic aggregates, called oligomers, of the protein amyloid beta (Aβ). These oligomers can start to form more than a decade before symptoms appear and before other known disease markers form. The ability to detect these oligomers would permit early disease diagnosis. This would make strategies to intervene before irreparable brain damage occurs possible.
Other biomarkers can be detected in retinal scans and by examining spinal fluid.
The main takeaway is that if you are concerned you may be at risk for developing Alzheimer’s or are experiencing concerning cognitive issues, early detection of Alzheimer’s and new alzheimer’s treatments can help immensely in slowing the progression of the disease and prolonging a higher quality of life.
If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or another form of dementia, discover how SYNERGY HomeCare can help and learn more about our Memory Care program.
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SYNERGY HomeCare offers no obligation home assessments. Find a location near you or contact us to learn how we can provide additional support to you and your loved ones.
Dr. Macie P. Smith is a licensed gerontology social worker who is focused on helping families support their aging loved ones through long-term care. Specifically, Dr. Smith educates caregivers on how to care for seniors with dementia. She is an advocate for specialized care and assists others in finding a way to provide a better quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Dr. Smith has dedicated over 22 years of her life working in gerontology and assisting families in finding personalized solutions for dementia care. For more articles by Dr. Macie Smith, click here.
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