| For the first time, we might actually be able to | | | | plaque that is Alzheimer's. Of course, a biopsy can only |
| diagnose Alzheimer's disease before someone dies. A | | | | be done after you died. |
| recent New York Times article featured a huge | | | | Because a definitive diagnosis is impossible when |
| breakthrough in the diagnosis of this disease. | | | | somebody is alive, a full 20% of those who were |
| Detecting Alzheimer's | | | | thought to have Alzheimer's, did not have it. Their |
| A company called Avid, has found a dye that attaches | | | | dementia was caused by other factors. |
| itself to the specific amyloid plaque that causes | | | | I know of no other disease where a false positive |
| Alzheimer's disease. This dye can be detected using a | | | | diagnosis of 20% occurs. Think about it. That would |
| PET scan. | | | | mean that one in five of those who receive a |
| It is even possible to detect Alzheimer's early on, | | | | diagnosis of lung cancer did not have it. Or, one in five |
| before patients develop symptoms. Early testing | | | | of HIV diagnoses turned out to be false. The number is |
| indicates that the build of amyloid starts well before | | | | simply staggering. That is why this test is huge. |
| anybody considers an Alzheimer's diagnosis. At the | | | | This was recently reported by the New York Times. |
| same time, those who have this plaque build up, | | | | Alzheimer's Treatment |
| perform less well on memory and other cognitive tests | | | | Of course, there still is no treatment for Alzheimer's, |
| than those who don't show this development. | | | | nor do we know what causes the disease. |
| The test has not yet been approved by the FDA. Avid | | | | The common wisdom has it that a combination of |
| founder Dr. Skovronsky is optimistic though. The full | | | | genetic and environmental factors cause Alzheimer's. |
| data of the study that indicates the success of this | | | | We don't control our genes, but we do control the |
| test will be presented on July 11 at the meeting of the | | | | interaction of our genes with the environment. Genes |
| Alzheimer's Association in Honolulu, according to the | | | | don't just sit in your body doing stuff. They get |
| New York Times. | | | | activated by certain triggers, and you can control those |
| Diagnosis of Alzheimer's | | | | triggers. |
| Here is why this is big news. | | | | Genes do not determine your fate. Don't ever believe |
| At this point, the only way to know for sure if | | | | that. On my site, I will provide you with strategies you |
| someone has Alzheimer's disease is by a biopsy of | | | | can use to make sure that you control what you can, |
| the brain. The biopsy can show the build up of amyloid | | | | and possibly even prevent Alzheimer's disease |
| plaque on specific parts of the brain. It is that build of | | | | altogether, no matter what your genetic make-up. |