Cambridge Scientists Detect Signs of Dementia Nine Years Ahead of Diagnosis

Man With Alzheimer’s Dementia

The study found that cognitive changes could appear years before diagnoses of neurodegenerative diseases.

Dementia could be detected nine years earlier.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have shown that it is possible to identify indicators of brain impairment in individuals up to nine years before they are given a dementia-related disease diagnosis.

The researchers examined data from the UK Biobank and discovered impairment in a number of areas, including problem-solving and numerical recall, across a variety of conditions. The findings were reported in a study that was recently published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.

The results suggest that in the future, at-risk individuals may be tested to help determine which ones may benefit from interventions to lower their chance of developing one of the conditions or to help identify people appropriate for enrollment in clinical trials for new treatments.

For dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, there are currently very few effective treatments available. This is due in part to the fact that these conditions are often only identified until symptoms appear, even though the underlying neurodegeneration may have started years or even decades before. This means that it could already be too late to change the course of the disease by the time people enroll in clinical trials.

Until now, it has been unclear whether it might be possible to detect changes in brain function before the onset of symptoms. To help answer this question, researchers at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust turned to UK Biobank, a biomedical database and research resource containing anonymized genetic, lifestyle, and health information from half a million UK participants aged 40-69.

As well as collecting information on participants’ health and disease diagnoses, UK Biobank collected data from a battery of tests including problem-solving, memory, reaction times, and grip strength, as well as data on weight loss and gain and on the number of falls. This allowed them to look back to see whether any signs were present at baseline – that is, when measurements were first collected from participants (between five and nine years prior to diagnosis).

People who went on to develop Alzheimer’s disease scored more poorly compared to healthy individuals when it came to problem-solving tasks, reaction times, remembering lists of numbers, prospective memory (our ability to remember to do something later on), and pair matching. This was also the case for people who developed a rarer form of dementia known as frontotemporal dementia.

People who went on to develop Alzheimer’s were more likely than healthy adults to have had a fall in the previous 12 months. Those patients who went on to develop a rare neurological condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), which affects balance, were more than twice as likely as healthy individuals to have had a fall.

For every condition studied – including Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies – patients reported poorer overall health at baseline.

First author Nol Swaddiwudhipong, a junior doctor at the University of Cambridge, said: “When we looked back at patients’ histories, it became clear that they were showing some cognitive impairment several years before their symptoms became obvious enough to prompt a diagnosis. The impairments were often subtle but across a number of aspects of cognition. This is a step towards us being able to screen people who are at greatest risk – for example, people over 50 or those who have high blood pressure or do not do enough exercise – and intervene at an earlier stage to help them reduce their risk.”

Senior author Dr. Tim Rittman from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge added: “People should not be unduly worried if, for example, they are not good at recalling numbers. Even some healthy individuals will naturally score better or worse than their peers. But we would encourage anyone who has any concerns or notices that their memory or recall is getting worse to speak to their GP.”

Dr. Rittman said the findings could also help identify people who can participate in clinical trials for potential new treatments. “The problem with clinical trials is that by necessity they often recruit patients with a diagnosis, but we know that by this point they are already some way down the road and their condition cannot be stopped. If we can find these individuals early enough, we’ll have a better chance of seeing if the drugs are effective.”

Reference: “Pre-diagnostic cognitive and functional impairment in multiple sporadic neurodegenerative diseases” by Nol Swaddiwudhipong, David J. Whiteside, Frank H. Hezemans, Duncan Street, James B. Rowe and Timothy Rittman, 12 October 2022, Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
DOI: 10.1002/alz.12802

The study was funded by the Medical Research Council with support from the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.

35 Comments on "Cambridge Scientists Detect Signs of Dementia Nine Years Ahead of Diagnosis"

  1. I would like to participate in the test study.. dementia has run in my family..

  2. I would also like to participate in the study. My daughter thinks I am showing signs now. I live with her. I am 70.
    I also am a pot smoker.

  3. Philandra Brewer | November 27, 2022 at 10:22 am | Reply

    41-yr-old black female plagued with dementia like symptoms for years. Seen by number of doctors to include neurologist for dementia – it was not diagnosed, but was not ruled out. Diagnosed with frontal lobe epilepsy.

    Would love to be a part of the trial.

  4. I am very interested. My Mom is dealing with PSP. Diagnosis given about 3 to 4 years ago. I remember, in hindsight, Mom have little problems over 15 years ago

  5. I am very interested in this study and would like to take part. I’m 61 with some problems now and one is no smell and nerve damage. Loss of strength and balance.

  6. I’m so happy to see the research that the scientists in this disease. I lost my husband from Alzheimer’s 18 months ago at the age of 68, leaving me a widow at the age of 63. This disease is horrible to watch him not remember his family or friend. He did remember who I was until the two days before he pass. Thank you for those researching this dieses.

    • I am 58. Noticing some issues with recall and saying wrong word. My dad had dementia, I would be interested in finding out about participating in the study.

  7. Carol Marie Moreno | November 27, 2022 at 3:11 pm | Reply

    My dad has dementia. I have been telling my physical doctor that my simple mind is getting worse. That I need testing to see what wrong.

  8. Alzheimers and dementia run on my mothers side. I’m 57 and see signs already. I have 5 signs of alzheimers is very possible

  9. Kathleen L Haskin RN | November 27, 2022 at 4:40 pm | Reply

    I too, would like to take part in this Study. Dementia is Strong in my family. I am 65.

    • My Dad is in stage 6 Dementia, 5 of my Uncle’s(Dad’s brothers) passed from Dementia. Depression majority of my adult life, smoker & walk 20-25 mins 2xs a day, nerve damage, sleep issues, 49yo female.

  10. MyGrandma and Uncle on my Mom’s side of the family died with Parkinson’s disease. I’m 62 and exercise 5 days a week and at a good weight but am beginning to see evidence that I’m on the same path as my relatives. I’d be pleased to participate in your research.

  11. I would like to be part of study. My Mom, grandmother and 2 of her sisters had it. I’m 62 and feel like I have several symptoms.

  12. I am interested in participating. My mother and maternal aunt were both diagnosed with Alzheimer. My father also experienced memory issues.

  13. I would participate in a study. I am 53 now, and have been showing signs for about a year in memory loss and focus .

  14. Brenda Macfarlane | November 28, 2022 at 12:35 am | Reply

    Memory loss is on my grandmother’s side and memory loss/blocks is something I am noticing at the age of 70. I would be more than happy to participate in any trials.

  15. I am 58. Noticing some issues with recall and using wrong words. My dad had dementia. I would be interested in finding out more about participating in the study.

  16. Jeanne Longwell | November 28, 2022 at 2:23 am | Reply

    I am definitely interested. My mother had alzhiemers. I am 71.

  17. I’m interested in participating. Both parents had dementia. They have passed. I’m 56 and worry about my future and the disease.

  18. Sharon Williams | November 28, 2022 at 4:28 am | Reply

    Alzheimer’s runs strong on my mum’s side 7 out of 10 of her siblings including her and her mother diagnosed. I have an auto immune disease and would love to participate in this study.

  19. I guess this is where people are wanting to sign up? I’m 59 no one in my family has has it that I know of but right in the middle of a conversation I completely forget what I’m talking about That’s embarrassing. I also seem to forget names like I forget my cat’s names which is not good I always end up remembering but it’s frustrating when I’m racking my brains trying to figure out what the heck that cat’s name is that I see everyday and I call him his name everyday and I forgot his darn name. Anyways. So yeah I would like to be part of it also lol

  20. I’m very disappointed. Everytime I read an article on dementia, Alzheimers or memory Loss I get inspired by another article on what are the correct foods to eat or correct exercises to do. Only to realize it’s to buy a pill.
    I want information on REAL FOOD NOT A PILL. Is there anyone that can do that without wanting $70.00 for a bottle.

  21. I would like to participate in any study. I am 57 and noticing forgetfulness and fog. My mother has had dementia for 4 years.

  22. My mother had signs.I have been showing signs for the last 2yrs I am getting concerned.

  23. My dad and his mom both had parkinson’s and dementia. My brother showed signs but was never diagnoised…he died this Sept. I’m concerned for myself. Is there a test for determining if I will get it? My husband shows signs of it’s onset. Thanks.
    Linda R.

  24. I would like to participate in the study
    i do have symptoms on medication for memory

  25. I would like to participate in the study
    i do suffer with symptoms on medication for memory

  26. Can we test this on the US President so we can see how long he has been living with dementia for?

  27. My husband was diagnosed with Lewy Bodies Dementia in Jan 2022 at the age of 64. He had been having hallucinations and delusions at least 4 months prior to diagnosis.He most recently had a massive hemorrhagic stroke that progressed rapidly. Thankful he is still alive but it is still uncertain if he will ever get to return home. I’m completely heartbroken as he is my heart and my very best friend. I pray someday we may be able to cure all dementias. It is so horribly painful to watch someone you love lose their joy of life as they become frustrated and feel anguish and depression over not being able to perform the smallest tasks.

  28. Patricia Surwill Downey | November 28, 2022 at 10:46 pm | Reply

    I’m very interested in participating in the trial study. I am 62 Lithuanian and Irish.

  29. I would like to participate. My grandfather showed signs but not until age 89. My Grandmother at 94. I am over 50.

  30. Head injury at 3 falling from a moving car, always had trouble with math, am delayed in emotional and cognitive response, excellent artist, have noticed unsteady walk, possible NPH. Victim of cop/ social workers that intended me to care for mentally re****ed grandchild. It doesn’t matter your condition, just that you own the property.

  31. Jacquelyn Baker | December 1, 2022 at 8:03 am | Reply

    I am 72 and have no symptoms of dementia. I would like to be in a study for getting baselines if needed

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