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Spotting Alzheimer’s Early Two Key Changes to Watch For

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Understanding the early signs of Alzheimer’s can be challenging, especially when the symptoms are subtle and easily overlooked. Recent research has highlighted two such subtle changes that may serve as early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. These findings could be instrumental in identifying cognitive decline sooner, providing an opportunity for early intervention and management. Here’s a closer look at these two critical changes.

Navigation Difficulties

A recent study explored how different age groups navigate using a specialized phone app. The study involved 72 participants divided into three groups: younger adults, older adults without cognitive decline, and older adults showing signs of dementia.

Participants navigated a university campus using a map that disappeared once they started walking, relying on memory and spatial recognition.

The study revealed that older adults with cognitive decline paused more frequently to reorient themselves or consult the map, suggesting a link to cognitive health.

Jonas Marquardt, a PhD candidate at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, noted:
“We were a bit surprised that the strongest difference between the group of older adults with elevated dementia risk and the one without risk was found in the number of short stops, presumably taken to orient themselves.”

This study suggests that navigation difficulties and frequent pauses could be early signs of cognitive decline.

Changes in Speech Patterns

Another study focused on speech patterns as a potential marker for Alzheimer’s. Conducted as part of the Framingham Heart Study, this research involved 238 adults with no signs of dementia. Participants completed cognitive tests that included retelling a story they had heard 20 minutes earlier.

The analysis found that those with elevated tau protein levels in specific brain areas spoke more slowly and took more frequent and longer pauses when recounting the story.

The researchers concluded that these subtle speech pattern changes might indicate the early phases of Alzheimer’s disease.

While acknowledging some limitations, the team expressed optimism about further studies enhancing understanding of this relationship.

These two studies highlight subtle changes in navigation abilities and speech patterns that could serve as early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. Recognizing these signs could be crucial for early detection and intervention, potentially improving outcomes for those at risk of cognitive decline. As research continues, these findings offer hope for more effective diagnosis and management of Alzheimer’s disease.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Lynnda Gies

    January 27, 2025 at 8:23 am

    Good morning. In the last year or so I have noticed that my thought process is having difficulty finding certain words when I’m telling a story describing an issue or attempting to find the word to describe a conversation that I’ve had earlier. This has been a concern now for about a year or so, where I am getting lost to the point of having to change the word that I was searching for. My mother always seem to have a clear mind, but my dear aunt did have dementia or Alzheimer’s when she passed. I would like to find out more and see what can be done as far as studies or medication something that can help to keep my mind clear. I am currently 72 years old and I still want to be able to keep having conversations with family and friend and clients. What can I do and where do I start?

  2. Wendy

    January 27, 2025 at 10:54 am

    Lynnda, I am in the same boat as you! I am 73 and have a history of dementia and Alzheimer’s in my family. I do have difficulty pulling up some words in mid sentence, I remember faces but some times have difficulty recalling names (that started years ago). My direction while driving or walking seems to be intact but do worry about that since it can happen very quickly. I too would like to find some sort of exercise for the brain or something that can help with this as well. Good luck to you!

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