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Alzheimers�disease damages the brain in two phases but they have contrasting symptoms, says study
Alzheimer’s disease is life-threatening and some of the common symptoms don’t appear until the condition has significantly damaged the brain.
Neuroscientists are desperately trying to help people prevent the condition, which mostly develops with poor lifestyle, habits, dietary choices, and more. Unlike previous studies that argued Alzheimer’s disease develops gradually, the latest research says it damages the brain in two “distinct phases.”
Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain in two phases
Spotting early symptoms of the disease affecting the brain is crucial for intervention and treatment at the right time. But it happens in such a way that spotting any signs becomes difficult until the disease turns “destructive”.
The study led by researchers at NIH National Institute on Aging has established that critical illness affects the brain mostly in two “distinct phases” – the first one is hard to spot.
The findings of the study conducted on 84 people whose brains were analyzed, suggest that the first stage of Alzheimer’s disease “happens slowly and silently before people experience memory problems.”
Whereas, the second stage is more brutal. It is said to “cause damage that is more widely destructive and coincides with the appearance of symptoms.”
The scientists believe that the findings will help them understand the different stages in which the disease develops, which is useful in the development of new treatments for the devastating disorder.
Commenting on the importance of understanding the two distinct phases of the disease, the director of NIH National Institute on Aging, Richard J. Hodes, said:
“One of the challenges to diagnosing and treating Alzheimers is that much of the damage to the brain happens well before symptoms occur.”
“The ability to detect these early changes means that, for the first time, we can see what is happening to a persons brain during the earliest periods of the disease,” he added.
How to reduce the risk of the disease
Although there isn’t a definite way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, certain methods are scientifically proven effective in reducing its risk.
Neuroscientist Dr. Robert Love says embracing your loved ones is important for brain health. He claims multiple hugs a day keep Alzheimers disease away.
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for the brain cells to repair and create memory, thus reducing the risks of Alzheimers disease. A recent study shows that teens who sleep an hour less as children are more prone to risky behavior.
Nutritious food and an active lifestyle are equally important for a sound mind. An unhealthy diet including artificial sugar and fats is believed to contribute to dementia. Therefore, the neuroscientist recommends a diet that isnt rich in refined sugar.
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