USA TODAY International Edition
1 in 10 older adults have early loss of memory
Study sheds light on early stage Alzheimer’s
A new report estimates 6.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and more than 1 in 10 older adults have early stage memory or cognitive problems.
The Alzheimer’s Association report released last week said 12- 18% of adults 60 and older have “mild cognitive impairment,” a category of memory loss or cognitive problems that may be a precursor to dementia or caused by other medical or behavioral issues.
Distinguishing dementia from other medical causes of memory or cognitive problems remains difficult, experts say, but perhaps is more important than ever, with one controversial new Alzheimer’s drug available and others in late- stage clinical trials.
Many doctors and patients “think that it might be normal aging, and that’s something that needs to be addressed,” said Maria Carrillo, chief science officer of the Alzheimer’s Association. “They can be diagnosed, and a delay of a diagnosis can be harmful.”
Common signs of memory loss might include forgetting a conversation or misplacing items. It also can surface as having trouble thinking during a conversation, navigating a oncefamiliar place or finishing daily tasks such as paying a bill, said the report, which was released March 15.
It’s important for seniors to discuss memory loss or cognitive problems with their primary- care doctors, Carrillo said, because such lapses often are not related to dementia and can be reversed by behavior changes or medication. A person might be able to reverse such lapses through improved sleep habits or medication for depression or anxiety.
Still, a survey of 801 primary care doctors found 72% had difficulty differentiating normal aging from cognitive impairment. And 60% of doctors were unfamiliar with using tests such as spinal taps or brain scans that measure disease markers such as amyloid or tau – hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.
Past studies have shown at least half of people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia don’t have the condition recognized or addressed before they die, said Dr. Pierre Tariot, a psychiatrist and director of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix.
Some health systems attempt to screen for memory lapses in older adults during routine doctor visits by incorporating cognitive tests and gathering details about a person’s history. But such screening might have limited value.
Past studies have shown at least half of people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia don’t have the condition recognized or addressed before they die.
Dr. Pierre Tariot
Director of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute
If such screening reveals cognitive impairment, Tariot said many doctors might not be prepared to advise a patient or caregiver about nonmedical needs such as whether a person should continue to drive, go to work or communicate their condition with friends or families.
The report comes as the Alzheimer’s Association and other patient groups ratchet up pressure on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services over its preliminary decision to limit coverage of the first new Alzheimer’s drug in two decades to people enrolled in clinical trials.
Biogen and other drug companies seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a class of Alzheimer’s drugs called monoclonal antibodies would be affected by Medicare’s preliminary decision to pay for the drugs only in clinical trials.