A recent study revealed that individuals who self-report memory problems, corroborated by their partners, have higher levels of tau tangles, a key Alzheimer’s disease biomarker. This correlation suggests that early detection of memory issues could be crucial for effective intervention, especially with the advent of new treatments. Early memory complaints, validated by partners, are linked to increased tau tangles in the brain, emphasizing the potential of early Alzheimer’s detection and intervention.
Individuals who report early memory problems and whose partners also suspect they have memory problems have higher levels of tau tangles in the brain, a biomarker associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This is according to a study published in the May 29, 2024, online issue of Neurology , the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology . Subjective cognitive decline is when a person reports memory and thinking problems before any decline is large enough to show up on standard tests.
Importance of Early Signs “Understanding the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease is even more important now that new disease-modifying drugs are becoming available,” said study author Rebecca E. Amariglio, PhD, of Harvard Medical School in Boston. “Our study found early suspicions of memory problems by both participants and the people who knew them well were linked to higher levels of tau tangles in the brain.
” Study Methodology The study involved 675 adults with an average ag.