Jun 22, 2009 4:34 pm US/Eastern
Health Alert: Alzheimer's Disease Breakthroughs
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
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Seniors Citizens, who lose weight quickly, without trying to, are three times more likely to develop dementia, a precursor to Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study of 1,800 people.
AP
Seniors Citizens, who lose weight quickly, without trying to, are three times more likely to develop dementia, a precursor to Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study of 1,800 people.
"The part of the brain that gives us an appetite has been destroyed, so the chemicals that make us hungry are no longer being produced therefore the person will just stop eating," said Dr. Michael Freedman, a researcher at NYU Langone Medical Center.
Another research discovery is a simple skin test. It may be able to detect Alzheimer's Disease in its early stages.
"Our diagnosis had a very high accuracy level, something like 98 percent," said Dr. Daniel Alkon, a researcher at Blanchette Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.
It's believed Alzheimer's is caused by a build up of plaque in the brain known as amyloid. The body, in an attempt to fight it, produces an enzyme called PKC. The skin test looks for higher PKC.
"This would be a way, right away of enhancing the accuracy of a doctor's diagnosis," said Dr. Alkon.
Dr. Mony De Leon says when amyloids build up in the brain microscopic amounts are also deposited in the lens of the eye.
"It's a very important discovery that amyloid can be detected outside of the brain," said Dr. De Leon
He's now trying to develop an eye test that can accurately spot them.
"It represents one of the many studies being done to find biological markers for Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. De Leon.
Finding it early, might allow doctors to slow the progression of Alzheimer's, which would be an important breakthrough for millions of families.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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