Alzheimer's disease may be predicted with 15-point test

William Atkins
Monday, 18 May 2009 17:27

Science - Health

The researchers found that 14% of the people developed dementia within six years of the start of their study.

In addiion, they found that 4% of the people tested with low scores developed dementia within six years. On the other hand, 23% developed dementia with moderate scores, and 56% with high scores.

The abstract to their paper concluded, “The late-life dementia risk index accurately stratified older adults into those with low, moderate, and high risk of developing dementia. This tool could be used in clinical or research settings to target prevention and intervention strategies toward high-risk individuals.”

Zaven Khachaturian, president and CEO of the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute in Las Vegas and an medical authority in Alzheimer's disease, was quoted in the May 14, 2009 ABC News article “Is Alzheimer's Disease in Your Future? New Tool May Answer Question."

Khachaturian said that before the 15-point index could be effectively used, physicians and patients would need more information about how to interpret the scores.

Their results were published online on May 13, 2009, in the journal Neurology. (Neurology 2009, doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181a81636). It is titled “Predicting risk of dementia in older adults. The late-life dementia risk index.”

Besides Dr. Barnes, the team also includes K. E. Covinsky, R. A. Whitmer, L. H. Kuller, O. L. Lopez, and K. Yaffe.

More information on Alzheimer's disease and dementia is found at Alzheimer's Association.