1 week Ago By HuffPost UK
Scientists increasingly think Alzheimer’s, or its risk factors, can show themselves many more years before diagnosis than we previously suspected. A study published in February found that seem to be associated with increased dementia risk may be noticeable 25 years before diagnosis, for instance. Some physical changes, like and have also been linked to a higher likelihood of developing dementia, especially combined with mental changes like forgetfulness.
And now, a new study has linked increased frailty to dementia nine years ahead of its official diagnosis. Researchers from The University Of Queensland from more than 30,000 people from the US and UK over 20 years. The paper, JAMA Neurology, found that frailty (which it defined as “the accumulation of multiple age-related health deficits and reduced physiological reserve”) appeared and accelerated in the nine years before those who got dementia at the end of the study were diagnosed.
“Our findings show with every four to five additional health problems there is on average a 40% higher risk of developing dementia, while for people who are fitter the risk is lower,” Dr David Ward, one of the study’s authors, told (RACGP). That means healthcare workers could be able to spot people who may be more vulnerable to dementia years sooner than they could otherwise. A lot of dementia studies only find a link and not a cause between things like and the condition.
The paper didn’t definitively prove frailty is a symptom of dementia, but Dr Ward told : ”This [data] suggests frailty is not merely a consequence of undetected dementia but contributes to its onset.” Early diagnosis is really helpful for dementia cases, so this information could be potentially useful as a diagnostic tool. “By understanding the connection between ageing, frailty and dementia we can use targeted intervention strategies to reduce risk and improve quality of life,” .
Related...
.
