|
|
|
Genetic Testing; Alzheimer's/Dementia
November 1, 2009 |
Researchers call it the APO-E-4. A gene that could sound the alarm when it comes
to the development of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
“The only treatments we have now slow the progression” says LMHS geriatrician, Dr.
Michael Raab.
Researchers are still studying this gene, which they found in people as early as
50. While this may seem like an early age to detect these kinds of memory problems,
it did not surprise Dr. Raab. “Alzheimer’s was originally described in a woman in
her 40’s. That was the initial diagnosis and it was called at the time, a pre-senile
dementia.”
He says new discoveries and studies like these are making it easier to get a handle
on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia before it’s too late. “If we can catch you when
you have a memory loss that has not yet caused you to have trouble at work, cause
you to have trouble at home or caused you to mess up your banking, or caused you
to wander around the parking lot for 4 of 5 hours because you lost your car and
someone tells you that you are in the wrong parking lot, that types of problem is
what we like to prevent.”
Researchers do admit they still have more to uncover about this gene. “The problem
is: when does the memory loss become something that is the precursor for getting
bad enough that you can start to lose your ability to function? And how can we pick
up people who have early memory loss before it has an impact on the function?” adds
Dr. Raab.
While testing is not yet available, Dr. Raab says it’s never too early to adopt
various mental and physical exercises that can help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s
disease and dementia; no matter what your age.
For more information on these types of exercises, you can call Lee Memory Care at
239-334-5634.
|
|
|
|
|
|
