Memory loss isn’t always Alzheimer’s: Experts warn of common but little-known dementia

As Alzheimer’s disease is the astir communal signifier of dementia — affecting an estimated 6.7 cardinal Americans — it’s not astonishing that radical who acquisition representation nonaccomplishment whitethorn fishy AD.

In fact, determination is different communal cognitive upset with precise akin symptoms, called limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy — oregon LATE for abbreviated — that is often misdiagnosed arsenic Alzheimer’s.

A caller study published successful Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association highlights the request to make "objective criteria" for diagnosing and staging each types of dementia, including LATE.

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How is LATE antithetic from Alzheimer’s?

LATE is simply a prevalent information in precocious life and tin lend to representation nonaccomplishment and cognitive decline, according to study co-author Rebecca M. Edelmayer, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association vice president of technological engagement successful Chicago.

"LATE is defined by changes successful the TDP-43 macromolecule successful encephalon insubstantial and often co-exists with Alzheimer’s illness changes, specified arsenic buildup of beta amyloid plaques and tau tangles." (iStock)

"LATE is defined by changes successful the TDP-43 macromolecule successful encephalon insubstantial and often co-exists with Alzheimer’s illness changes, specified arsenic buildup of beta amyloid plaques and tau tangles," she told Fox News Digital.

The recently projected criteria purpose to assistance clinicians amended differentiate LATE from Alzheimer’s, yet starring to much precise diagnoses and improved attraction strategies, Edelmayer noted.

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LATE tends to person a slower complaint of diminution than Alzheimer’s, according to pb writer David Wolk, prof of neurology astatine the University of Pennsylvania.

The information occurs successful tandem with Alzheimer’s illness successful astir one-third of patients, the doc estimated, and it seems to accelerate the people of disease.  

More than 25% of radical implicit 80 person this signifier of dementia.

More than 25% of radical implicit 80 person this communal but little-known signifier of dementia. (iStock)

"Despite the commonality of the condition, astir clinicians and patients person ne'er heard of LATE and don't see this erstwhile representation nonaccomplishment is present," Wolk noted.

"Knowing whether it is contiguous with Alzheimer’s illness besides impacts prognosis and whitethorn interaction the efficacy of treatments."

"Most clinicians and patients person ne'er heard of LATE and don't see this erstwhile representation nonaccomplishment is present."

Before the criteria presented successful the caller report, determination was not statement connected however to diagnose this condition.

"It was lone defined astatine autopsy aft death," Wolk said. 

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"These criteria supply a mode for doctors to diagnose the disease, which is an important measurement some successful objective signifier and ultimately research to amended dainty the condition."

While determination is simply a diagnostic trial to definitively measurement Alzheimer’s disease, nary specified trial exists for LATE, Wolk pointed out.

While determination is simply a diagnostic trial to definitively measurement Alzheimer’s disease, nary specified trial exists for LATE. (iStock)

"The criteria supply levels of likelihood of diagnosis, but cannot beryllium definitive," helium told Fox News Digital. "Also, the criteria request to beryllium validated successful practice."

In the adjacent future, Edelmayer noted, advances successful biologic markers volition assistance clinicians differentiate each the assorted types of dementia. 

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"Until those tools are available, objective criteria for diagnosis — similar the 1 we conscionable published — tin beryllium utilized to enactment a much personalized medicine attack to treatment, attraction and enrollment into objective studies," she told Fox News Digital.

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"In addition, these caller recommendations make a roadmap that identifies opportunities for further research, and the challenges that inactive stay for accurately diagnosing individuals with LATE."