At the Amen Clinics, we have been using SPECT scans in addition to memory tests to help us with early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) for several years. Early diagnosis of AD “” just like early diagnosis of cancer “” is critical for delaying progression of the disease.
The practice of using brain scans as a diagnostic tool was recently the subject of a large study from researchers at UC Berkeley. The team of researchers found that cognitive tests and PET brain scans did indeed help detect early signs of AD in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
The study found that patients who had low scores on a memory recall test in addition to certain changes in the brain detected by PET scans were 15 times as likely to develop AD within two years compared to other study participants.
This important study also looked at a variety of other diagnostic tools being used to detect AD in its early stages. Of all the methods examined, the memory recall test and the brain scans clearly stood out over the others, according to one of the study’s researchers.
The findings of this study reinforce the diagnostic tools we use here at the Amen Clinics. It is my firm belief that early detection and treatment are keys to delaying and in some cases, preventing this terrible disease.
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I have a blog for mom’s of children with Reactive Attachment Disorder. I would love to give information from you on the brain development and neglect/breaks in attachment. Would you either consider a written interview or blog about the topic so I could leave a link? Thanks so much!
There are many helpful ways to prevent memory loss and to slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Doing little things like crossword puzzles and other brain challenges are said to help slow down the process.