Many health conditions are associated with a later diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
A study suggests Alzheimer’s disease may be preceded by 10 health conditions years before a formal diagnosis. Major depressive disorder was pinpointed as the earliest linked condition, appearing up to nine years before an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Additional associated conditions include anxiety, constipation and weight loss. However, it’s still uncertain whether these connected conditions represent symptoms, risk factors, causes or early warning signs of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease, a neurological disorder that causes memory loss and declining cognitive abilities over time, is thought to be responsible for up to 70% of dementia cases.
The study’s authors have described Alzheimer’s as one of the ‘principal health challenges of the 21st century’. While the cause of Alzheimer’s remains unknown and no cure exists, the NHS has recognised several factors believed to heighten your risk of developing the condition: getting older, family history, untreated depression, and lifestyle factors and conditions linked with heart disease.
Published in The Lancet Digital Health, the Paris Brain Institute sought to validate established dementia risk factors and identify new ones. This research could open doors for early or novel interventions for this devastating condition.
The team scrutinised data from 20,214 UK patients over a 24-year span and 19,458 individuals in France across 21 years. This study is the first to identify constipation as a potential risk factor that emerges seven years before an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Health conditions associated with a later Alzheimer’s diagnosis
- Major depression
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Abnormal weight loss
- Severe stress reaction
- Sleep disorders
- Hearing loss
- Cervical spondylosis (a type of arthritis)
- Falls
- Fatigue
Thomas Nedelec, a researcher from the Aramis team, said: “The connections made allowed us to confirm known associations, such as hearing problems or depression, and other less known factors or early symptoms, such as cervical spondylosis or constipation.”
He further noted: “However, we are only reporting statistical associations. These will have to be the subject of further studies to understand the underlying mechanisms.
“The question remains as to whether the health problems encountered are risk factors, symptoms, or warning signs of the disease.”