| Results
of a new study suggest that comparing questionnaires from those
suffering mild mental impairment to those filled out by close
family members can help predict a future diagnosis of Alzheimer's
Disease.
Columbia
University researchers, reporting in Neurology, said that
family members may report signs of mild cognitive impairment
that elderly patients are not aware exist.
Further
analysis indicated when relatives reported more shortfalls
in ability than the patient, the patient had a strong likelihood
of progressing to Alzheimer's within two years.
By measuring
functioning and daily living abilities, the researchers monitored
patients with mild cognitive impairment every six months,
and followed people without impairment at yearly intervals.
Their findings then were weighed against reports from a family
member capable of determining whether the patient could perform
various tasks.
"These
findings indicate that in patients with (mild cognitive impairment),
the patient's lack of awareness of functional deficits identified
by informants strongly predicts a future diagnosis of (Alzheimer's
Disease)," the researchers concluded.
Source:
Alzheimer Week
of March 24, 2002
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