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For now, PET scans for beta-amyloid still aren’t widely available, and most other biomarker tests are still experimental. But Dr. John Morris, an Alzheimer’s researcher and professor of neurology at Washington University in St. Louis, predicted these physiological measurements will signal a new chapter in Alzheimer’s care.
The ultimate goal, Morris said, is to correctly diagnose and treat people “prior to the stage of dementia, prior to the stage where memory and thinking are affected, in an effort to delay the loss of memory and thinking ability or even prevent it.”
In the meantime, he said, one reason to see a doctor at the first development of mild cognitive symptoms is because the symptoms might stem from something else that is quite treatable.
“For example, sometimes a low thyroid hormone level can produce a dementia-like state,” he said, “and that can be easily treated with thyroid replacement therapy.”
And even if the underlying problem is Alzheimer’s, a recent study by the Alzheimer’s Association suggests that accurately diagnosing the illness at the earlier stage of mild cognitive impairment — or possibly even before symptoms appear — could save $64,000 per patient in terms of health costs and long-term care costs over the course of their lifetime.
Elaine Belardo says she finds solace in reading the Bible and writing in her journal each morning in a small room in their basement.(Alex Smith/KCUR)
An earlier diagnosis also allows the patient to be more involved in planning for their own future and the family’s. That can help reduce the emotional toll of the disease on everyone.
After Jose Belardo’s illness was diagnosed, the family rushed to get his affairs in order. They got in touch with the Alzheimer’s Association, which provided support groups and other help.
And before long, as Elaine explained, the shock started to wear off.
“What I would say is, after you get a diagnosis of something that is incurable and progressive and perhaps even aggressive: Pause. And breathe. And think about where the person is right at that moment. Because at that moment, Jose was not dying. And at this moment, Jose is not dying.”
Researchers hope that by getting more Alzheimer’s patients diagnosed early on, more people with the disease will, like Jose, be able to make the best of the health they have.
This story is part of a partnership that includes KCUR, NPR and Kaiser Health News.
KHN’s coverage of these topics is supported by
John A. Hartford Foundation and
The SCAN Foundation