Scientists Identify 4 Key Factors That May Predict Cognitive Decline
Summary
The study confirms that age, gender, irregular heart rhythm and daily activity levels are the main predictors of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients.
Knowing how essential cognitive functions may change in people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can make a significant difference for patients and their caregivers. Although the underlying pathology is similar in most cases, the rate and severity of deterioration varies.
A prospective study conducted by an international team of researchers has now confirmed that age, gender, irregular heart rhythm and daily activity levels are the most reliable predictors of cognitive decline.
“Even in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline was best predicted by a combination of patient demographic, somatic, and functional variables,” the researchers write in their paper.
The researchers started with a group of 500 Alzheimer’s patients and followed them for over two years. However, the dropout rate was relatively high, with only 169 patients still in the study at the end of the two-year period.
Data were recorded on various demographic, health, and functional factors, including experiences of pain, depression, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Measures of cognitive decline were significant for all participants, although there was enough variation to reveal some relationships. Being older, being female, having difficulty with daily activities, and having a history of atrial fibrillation (problems with irregular heart rhythm) were identified by researchers as predictors of greater decline in cognitive ability.
These four predictors, recorded at the beginning of the study period, explained approximately 14% of the variance in patients’ cognitive functioning in the last quarter of the two-year period.
And it’s not just patients who are affected. As expected, caregiver burden increased with declining cognitive abilities, suggesting that those who support patients in their daily lives need to be considered when evaluating treatment options and disease progression, researchers say.
Although some variables were not taken into account, such as smoking habits and alcohol consumption, the results are sufficiently robust to suggest that demographics, medical history, and measures of daily activity may be sufficient to predict the rate of cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: Scientific Notice
André Forastieri is a journalist and entrepreneur, founder of Homework and the content and connections agency Compasso, as well as a mentor to professionals and executives. Find out more aboutandreforastieri.com.br
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
