Signs of Alzheimers noticeable as early as age 20
Evidence of Alzheimer’s disease can be seen in people as early as age 20, indicates new research from Northwestern University, though this does not mean…
Signs of Alzheimer’s start when we are young and grow worse with age.It could be detectable as early as in your 20’s. (Shutterstock)
Evidence of Alzheimer’s disease can be seen in people as early as age 20, indicates new research from Northwestern University, though this does not mean all people are at risk for the disease.
According to a team of experts led by Changiz Geula, amyloid protein–the protein that eventually causes synapse-blocking plaque buildup in the brain–starts accumulating just after the teen years are over and continues to worsen with age. It’s something that can be detected with the proper medical exams.
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“It was the age that really that surprised us, Geula told Yahoo Health. In the young adults, we already see accumulation of amyloids.
The difference between the old and the young, he explained, was that amyloid clumping, the real issue in Alzheimer’s disease, was more profound in older individuals.
“What this means is these neurons are susceptible to accumulate at a young age, but that the clumping really occurs during the aging process,” said Guela. “During life, the substance needed to make clumps is available. And if you have susceptibility to form clumps, this could worsen.
The presence of amyloid protein alone is not as concerning as the formation of clumps. The Alzheimer’s Association indicates amyloid proteins naturally form plaques because they are sticky by nature. When these plagues clump together, they block cell-to-cell signaling at synapses and also trigger the body’s immune system, causing inflammation and the deterioration of brain cells.
Cross word puzzles are a great mental exercise. (Shutterstock)
In this study, we didnt have a huge number of brains, cautioned Geula. And this doesnt mean that because young people have a measure of amyloids that everyone is going to get Alzheimers. Its not an alarm. We have known for a while that if we want effective therapy for Alzheimers, we have to start early. What these findings suggest is the earlier the better.
Geula and his team recommend individuals take some simple steps toward improving their chances of warding off degenerative brain disease, including:
- Eliminating bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Immediately cleaning up your diet routine.
- Starting physical exercise at least 4 days a week for at least 30 minutes.
- Engaging in mental exercises like puzzles and word problems.
- Thinking positive thoughts; research suggests negative thinking negatively impacts the brain.
All in all, some evidence suggests amyloid production can be diminished through a balanced diet combined with exercise. Of all the recommendations, those two are the most important.
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We know that general cognitive aging and Alzheimers aging can be enhanced by many things most importantly, general health, said Geula. “Some animal studies show that the total amount of amyloid can be reduced in animals through enhanced exercise and enriched environment.”
