Differences between Alzheimer’s Symptoms and a Senior Moment

What distinguishes the normal memory changes of the aging process from symptoms of Alzheimer’s? Researchers at Rush University Medical Center studied brains from autopsy results of 134 older people who had been involved in a multi-year study in their last years. Most were Caucasians over age 80 who appeared to be mentally normal apart from minor forgetfulness.

Surprisingly, researchers found concentrations of waxy protein clumps typical of patients with full-blown Alzheimer’s in 36% of those who died during the study. None had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or even mild cognitive impairment in their final days.


All had performed well on memory examples, although those whose autopsies showed evidence of Alzheimer’s had slightly lower scores in episodic memory. That is, their recall of recently presented information was somewhat impaired. In other words, their brains could not store new information properly in order to recall it.

This recent study appeared in the June issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Scientists attempted to answer the question why some people with brain impairments found in Alzheimer’s patients (at autopsy) appeared to function normally while others become severely debilitated by the mind-robbing disease.

Scientists believe that high levels of education, feelings of social connectedness, and brain-stimulating activity may help individuals to function well despite their reduced brain capacity.

One in 10 persons over age 65 and almost half of persons over age 85 are afflicted with varying degrees of Alzheimer’s disease. Advancing age and family history seem to be risk factors that contribute to the condition. No single comprehensive test can positively diagnose Alzheimer’s while the person is living. A variety of tests and neurological exams are used to diagnose the disease that proves accurate about 90% of the time.

No medical treatment is able to cure or keep Alzheimer’s from progressing, but five FDA-approved drugs are now available to temporarily relieve some of the symptoms of the disease. Other drugs are under development.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include:

  • Memory loss that affects job skills
  • Difficulty performing familiar tasks
  • Problems with language
  • Disorientation to time and place
  • Poor or decreased judgment
  • Problems with abstract thinking
  • Placing items in inappropriate places
  • Rapid changes in mood or behavior
  • Dramatic changes in personality
  • Loss of initiative

Normal memory changes in aging:

  • Forgetting names or appointments
  • Occasionally forgetting reasons for entering a room or the route to your destination
  • Sometimes struggling to find the right word
  • Forgetting the day or the week
  • Temporarily misplacing keys or wallet
  • Slight changes in personality
  • Feeling weary of work or social obligations

Keeping mentally active through activities such as attempting cross-word puzzles, playing chess, reading books, and attempting new learning experiences may help to stave off the ravages of Alzheimer’s. Appropriate regular exercise is also thought to be helpful, as well.
Sources: MSNBC, Alzheimer’s Association

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