A recent study has suggested that Alzheimer's could be preceded by 10 health conditions up to 15 years before diagnosis. Major depressive disorder was identified as the earliest associated condition, appearing nine years prior to an Alzheimer's diagnosis.
Other linked conditions include anxiety, constipation and weight loss. However, it remains unclear whether these linked conditions are symptoms, risk factors, causes or warning signs of Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's disease, a brain disorder leading to memory loss and deteriorating thinking skills over time, is believed to account for up to 70 percent of dementia cases. The study's researchers have labelled Alzheimer's as one of the 'principal health challenges of the 21st century'.
Despite the cause of Alzheimer's being unknown and no cure available, the NHS has identified several factors thought to increase your risk of developing the condition: increasing age, family history, untreated depression, and lifestyle factors and conditions associated with heart disease. Appearing in The Lancet Digital Health, the Paris Brain Institute aimed to confirm well-known dementia risk factors and discover others.
This research could pave the way for early or new interventions into this devastating condition. , reports Surrey Live.
After examining data from over 20,000 patients in the UK and almost 20,000 in France over periods of 24 and 21 years respectively, researchers have identified constipation as a possible precursor to an Alzheimer's diagnosis, emerging around seven years prior, as cited in the Daily Record. According to Thomas Nedelec, a researcher with the Aramis team: "The connections made allowed us to confirm known associations, such as hearing problems or depression, and other less known factors or early symptoms, such as cervical spondylosis or constipation."
He further mentioned: "However, we are only reporting statistical associations. These will have to be the subject of further studies to understand the underlying mechanisms."
Nedelec posed the question about whether these health issues are directly causing the disease, symptoms or early indicators.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
English (United States) ·