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10 Health Clues Precede Alzheimer's Years Earlier
9 Feb
Summary
- Depression linked as earliest Alzheimer's sign nine years prior.
- Constipation identified as a potential risk factor seven years before.
- Study analyzed over 40,000 UK and French patients across decades.
A significant study suggests that as many as 10 health conditions might signal the onset of Alzheimer's disease years before a formal diagnosis. Major depressive disorder has been identified as the earliest associated condition, potentially appearing nine years before Alzheimer's is detected.
Other conditions, including anxiety, constipation, and unexplained weight loss, have also been linked. Researchers emphasize that the precise nature of these connections—whether they are symptoms, risk factors, causes, or warning signs—requires further investigation.
The research, published in The Lancet Digital Health, involved analyzing data from 20,214 UK patients over 24 years and 19,458 individuals in France over 21 years. This comprehensive analysis confirmed known associations and highlighted less understood factors like constipation.
Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder responsible for a significant portion of dementia cases, remains a major global health challenge. While its causes are unknown and no cure exists, understanding these potential early indicators could pave the way for new interventions.
