Researchers determined that there is a direct connection between memory loss and dementia.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Neurology points out that early memory loss is linked to dementia. The paper published in the prestigious publication is set on determining the facts that contribute to the development of dementia.
Researchers studied the phenomenon on a group of over 1000 women, over a period of 20 years. Results show that a memory lapse occurring in early years could trigger the onset of dementia. The study group comprised of women with ages over 60, which previously showed no sign of mental impairment.
During the 20 year research period, doctors would ask patients a couple of questions in order to ascertain their overall mental condition. The most asked question at the interview was if the patient though if he has more problems with memory than most people. Surprisingly, only 89 candidates responded with a clear “yes” (that’s roughly 10 percent).
At the end of the trial, those who said “yes” were 70 more likely to be suffering from memory loss or other mental conditions proving that early memory loss is linked to dementia.
Senility, also known as dementia includes a large palette of mental diseases. Dementia is classified as being a neurocognitive disorder. People who suffer from dementia, be it vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia or frontotemporal lobe dementia have very specific symptoms.
The earlier stages of the disease is called mild cognitive impairment and it is rather subtle to detect. As the disease progresses, patients will develop other symptoms such as decreased motor function, lapses in memory, several impairments in language use and low motivation.
Such disorders usually impairs our ability to perform daily tasks. Although MRI scans of the brain reveals the fact that the disease scars the brain’s tissue, one’s consciousness remains unaffected by this disease. Unfortunately, there are no known cures for dementia, although physicians experimented with donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, which showed mild improvements in disease progression.
In conclusion, the next time someone from your family shows classic dementia symptoms such as agitation, tremors, anxiety, apathy, elated mood, memory distortions of any kind it is best that you rush them to the nearest hospitals for additional investigations.
Also, it is worth mentioning that researchers managed to establish direct causes that links unhealthy habits such as drinking, smoking and obesity to the onset of early dementia.
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