Alzheimer's could be treated 20 years before onset

Scientists have determined that Alzheimer's disease may be detectable in people up to 20 years before dementia sets in.

The findings were made in a study by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, in association with the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Network (DIAN), and will be presented to the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Paris later on today (July 20th).

"We want to prevent damage and loss of brain cells by intervening early in the disease process — even before outward symptoms are evident, because by then it may be too late," said Alzheimer's researcher Dr Randall Bateman , an associate director of DIAN.

He explained that the study identified that brain chemistry changes can be detected up to 20 years prior to the predicted onset of inherited Alzheimer's.

It is important to identify Alzheimer's before symptoms occur, Dr Bateman said, as by that time the disease has already caused irreversible damage to the brain, making restoration of memory difficult or impossible.