Alzheimer's: Brain Changes May Occur 34 Years Before Symptoms

A study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience sought to identify more accurate "changepoints" in the evolution of Alzheimer's biomarkers, reports Medical News Today . The researchers reviewed the medical records of 290 individuals who were at least 40 years old, including cerebrospinal fluid samples and magnetic resonance imaging brain scans. All participants were designated "cognitively normal," but 81 had developed Alzheimer's by the study's conclusion. Signs of cognitive impairment were found 11 to 15 years before symptom onset in those subjects, while levels of a modified version of the tau protein rose 13 years before visible symptoms manifested. Algorithmic tracking of brain changes determined the rate at which the medial temporal lobe changed differed slightly in participants with Alzheimer's. "Our study suggests it may be possible to use brain imaging and spinal fluid analysis to assess risk of Alzheimer's disease at least 10 years or more before the most common symptoms, such as mild cognitive impairment, occur," said Johns Hopkins University Professor Laurent Younes.