Alzheimer’s may begin 20 years before symptoms appear.
Long before people with Alzheimer’s demonstrate classic symptoms of the disease—memory loss, confusion, mood swings, etc.—their brains may begin suffering damage.
Recent findings suggest that Alzheimer’s pathology may start to develop nearly two decades before outward symptoms manifest themselves in the form of cognitive decline. While it is potentially distressing to learn that Alzheimer’s disease can begin to develop in the brain at such a relatively young age, the discovery is also reason for hope—detection through the development and use of early diagnostic tests may soon give doctors the ability to spot the signs of Alzheimer’s years in advance.
While a cure does not yet exist, finding the disease early may give patients more time to slow its progression through cognitive exercises, lifestyle changes, and new treatment options as they become available.
Research like this paves the way for an improved understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and, eventually, a cure. You can help us support the scientists who will bring an end to this disease.
Please click here to donate now and join the fight to end Alzheimer’s.
