Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease

Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease

At Golden House Assisted Living, we know that there are different stages of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Preclinical Alzheimer’s, or Preclinical AD, is a term given to the earliest stage of Alzheimer’s. This diagnosis is typically found in early-onset Dementia, which means it occurs in adults before the age of 65. Your loved one’s occasional forgetfulness might not just be a symptom of growing older, but of Preclinical Alzheimer’s.

How to Determine Preclinical Alzheimer’s

Preclinical Alzheimer’s is hard to identify without proper testings. Its symptoms are very similar to regular aging, like the occasional forgetfulness, so most wouldn’t think that their ‘occasional forgetfulness’ is a warning sign for something more serious.

If you suspect your loved one may be experiencing anything out of the norm, we recommend bringing your loved one for a doctor’s visit.

Preclinical Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

When present with a doctor or a specialist, they will likely conduct several tests to provide your loved one the most accurate diagnosis. Brain scans are considered the best method to detect the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

Below is a list of tests your doctor may conduct on your loved one:

• Brain Scans
• Cognitive Tests
• Genetic Tests

While a person may show little to no signs of cognitive decline, they may receive results from brain scans and genetic tests that indicate Preclinical AD is in progression.

A Preclinical Alzheimer’s diagnosis can happen to even cognitively normal individuals. Based on a medical study, there are several preventive measures that may slow down or postpone the progression to Preclinical Alzheimer’s.

Preventive Measures

While there’s no certain way to prevent Alzheimer’s because the exact cause of the disease remains unknown, there are several steps your loved one can take to help lower the risk of getting Alzheimer’s

Here are some common strategies:

• Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. With ample rest every night, it can help prevent Alzheimer’s and studies have found that it helps with amyloid clearance from the brain.
• Exercising regularly for at least 150 minutes per week. Studies have shown exercising regularly can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 50%.
• Eating a balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight and to manage health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
• Doing regular memory and cognitively engaging activities such as reading, solving crossword puzzles and the like.
• Being social helps you stay connected to others mentally.