FROM THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2016

SMELL AND EYE TESTS ONE STEP CLOSER FOR DETECTION OF MEMORY DECLINE AND DEMENTIA

- New Alzheimer’s biomarker results suggest potential for simpler, lower-cost tests -

PR Newswire, TORONTO, July 26, 2016
The potential of odor identification testing and physical changes in and around the eye to detect cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease at an early stage was bolstered by new evidence from four studies presented today at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2016.

Two studies evaluated changes in odor identification as an early predictor of cognitive decline, or of the transition to dementia, and compared it to two established biological markers for cognitive decline and dementia - brain amyloid PET imaging and thickness of the brain’s cortex in areas important to memory.

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News From #AAIC16: Smell and Eye Tests One Step Closer for Detection of Memory Decline and Dementia #ENDALZ

Two other studies reported at AAIC 2016 found:

  • A strong association between thinning nerve layers in the retina of the eye and poor cognition, suggesting the potential of retinal imaging as part of early Alzheimer’s testing.
  • The presence of amyloid deposits in the retina of both people with Alzheimer’s and canine models of the disease by non-invasive polarization imaging; this strengthens their utility as a marker of Alzheimer’s, and a possibility for pre-symptomatic detection.

“It’s clear that the science around biological measures in the detection of Alzheimer’s continues to gather pace and validation,” said Heather Snyder, PhD, director of medical and scientific operations, Alzheimer’s Association. "Low cost, non-invasive measures to detect dementia-related changes and evaluate the risk of future decline continue to be refined and tested; this is a positive step forward to earlier detection and intervention."

Today, it is only possible to clinically detect Alzheimer’s relatively late in its development, when significant brain damage has already occurred. While brain positron emission tomography (PET) imaging can show the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain years before symptoms appear, PET scans are expensive. Beta amyloid can also be detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through a lumbar puncture, and brain PET imaging of abnormal tau protein is rapidly advancing through research.

“Using other biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease to detect the disease at an earlier stage - which have the potential to be lower-cost and non-invasive - could lead to dramatic improvements in early detection and management of the disease,” Snyder said.

Click here to view the full press release.

About Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC)

The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world’s largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer’s and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s research program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia and fostering a vital, collegial research community.

AAIC 2016 home page: www.alz.org/aaic/
AAIC 2016 newsroom: www.alz.org/aaic/press.asp

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

CONTACT:

Alzheimer’s Association AAIC Press Office, 416-585-3701, [email protected]
Niles Frantz, Alzheimer’s Association, 312-335-5777, [email protected]

Alzheimer's Association