Alzheimer's risk can be determined by Dementia Test!
Date:
01/06/2011
Absence of memory is one of the most important problems in our time. Memory lapses experienced within daily life results in fear of suffering Alzheimer's. However, thanks to "Dementia Test" started to be performed in Anadolu Medical Center, it is possible to determine your risk of getting Alzheimer's in your following years.
Neurology specialist Prof. Dr. Türker Şahiner mentioned that high levels of A Beta 42 protein in blood at young ages is a significant indicator of early stage Alzheimer's risk. Prof. Şahiner provided the following information on dementia test.
Türker Şahiner, M.D. Professor of Neurology from Anadolu Medical Center provided the info about dementia test as;
Individuals with familial Alzheimer's history are in high risk group!
It's been well known that the accumulation of the protein referred as "A Beta 42"is highly associated with Alzheimer's disease, and severe damage in brain. The recent research done in 2008 had strengthened this argument by showing that individuals with first-degree relatives suffering from Alzheimer's tend to have higher levels of the protein. Therefore having this condition at early ages becomes the most significant sign of dementia risk.
How is A Beta 42 protein leading to Alzheimer's? Postmortem brain examinations of the patients with the disease showed structures that are resulted from accumulations of various proteins in brain which are called plaque. Among those proteins, A Beta 42 is commonly used by tissues, especially in brain and meninges. In time as all the protein structures and ratios change in brain. Cells can not utilize their constituents and accumulations occur. Eventually, cells die and this is what leads to Alzheimer's disease.
In Turkey as Anadolu Medical Center, we started to perform "Dementia Test" which measures A Beta 42 protein level in blood. The results provide serious information about the risks of getting Alzheimer's.
However, it's important to point out that a relevantly high protein level result does not mean the individual will definitely suffer from the disease. In order to clear the test other techniques such as MRI, Pet-CT or EEG as well as neurological examination can be used. In the end the results might mean age-related memory decline too.
Who should undergo this test?
Individuals with mild cognitive disorder may undergo this test. Even if the individuals are able to easily continue their daily life, perform all types of social activities and experience no problems in their social relations, dementia might still be a problem for them.
Those individuals might repeat same action for many times due to early dementia symptoms. They continuously feel the necessity to note down tasks required to be done. Severity of dementia may vary among individuals. We may encounter many individuals with mild dementia around us.
Can the disease be prevented if Alzheimer's risk is determined?
Unfortunately, this disease cannot be avoided, even if test result indicates that the individual has Alzheimer's risk. However, it is possible to delay onset of the disease and mitigate progression of the disease by administrating various protective vitamins and medications. Individuals may previously condition themselves against the disease.