Self-reported confusion may be a possible indicator of Alzheimer’s

Changes in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease begin years before
diagnosis, so it is crucial to have earlier detection of those at risk
without waiting until cognitive decline is obvious. 

Studies have looked at self-reported memory complaints as a potential
predictor of later disease, but they have not found clear correlations
between reported memory loss and tested memory decline and disease. In
addition, most studies look at people aged over 60, yet the earliest
brain changes can occur in midlife.

WHAP has been following women aged from 45 into their 70s, tracking
and measuring lifestyle, psychosocial data and neuropsychological levels
as well as reported memory complaints and confusion.

They also had their levels of brain B-amyloid in the brain measured
because research studies have shown that healthy people with an elevated
level of B-amyloid are at risk of cognitive decline.

Professor Cassandra Szoeke, Director of the Healthy Ageing Program,
Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne says participants
were asked to assess how often they had felt confused and if they felt
they had more problems with memory than most.

“We found that participants who self-reported incidents of confusion
were more likely to have more B-amyloid protein on their brain scans,”
she says.

“In our study, people worried about their memory did not have more
clinical or pathological evidence of disease but those with reported
confusion did,” Prof Szoeke says. 

“The clinical significance of memory complaints, particularly their
indication of subsequent progression to dementia, has been
controversial.” 

While studies may show no relationship between reported concerns and
memory testing or disease development over several years, Prof Szoeke
says it is important to look 10 and 20 years down the track. 

“Alzheimers Disease is a long game – it doesn’t happen overnight. 
The good news is, this gives us time to intervene – that’s why it is so
important to identify those who should have greater monitoring and risk
factor management to delay disease onset,” she says