|
SOURCE: Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation --
Unexpected weight loss in elderly men and women may be an early harbinger of
Alzheimer's disease, a new study reports. The weight loss may develop several
years before the memory begins to fade, and well before most cases of
Alzheimer's are even diagnosed. Nevertheless, many elderly people who lose
weight do not go on to develop Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at the
Institute of Psychiatry in London tracked the long-term progress of 1,890 men,
aged 77 to 98, who were enrolled in The Honolulu-Asia Aging Study.
Japanese-American men enrolled in the study were examined on six occasions over
a period of up to 34 years. Weight was measured at each examination, and memory
tests were given at the three most recent doctor visits. During the course of
the study, 112 men were recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other
forms of dementia.
On
average, men who developed Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia did not weigh
any more or less during middle age than those who did not develop the disease.
However, in the six years prior to their diagnosis, men who developed dementia
tended to lose more weight compared with mentally intact men. Weight loss
accelerated during the final three years before diagnosis. A high proportion of
the men with dementia lost about 11 pounds, which was close to 10 percent of the
average body weight for this group.
Weight loss is a common problem in
the elderly and may be due to many factors, including general frailty, physical
illness, depression, and the side effects of medications. It has long been
observed that people with Alzheimer's tend to be thinner than their healthy
peers, and as the disease progresses, weight loss can become dramatic. Poor
appetite, disorientation, problems with vision and perception, and an inability
to feed oneself or remember to eat can all contribute to poor nutrition in those
with the disease.
Close Monitoring Needed
This current study,
published in the Archives of Neurology, reveals that weight loss may begin years
before memory lapses and other clear symptoms of Alzheimer's arise. Before
Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed, it is often preceded by a period of more
subtle memory loss, a condition known as mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. Defects in the
brain and thinking may contribute to appetite defects and poor meal planning in
those with MCI. Recent studies suggest that people with memory problems are also
more likely to become irritable, anxious, depressed, or apathetic, which could
also affect appetite and meal preparation. Many other factors likely play a role
in the eating and nutritional problems among people with Alzheimer's
disease.
The investigators in the current study note that any changes in
weight or nutritional status should be carefully monitored and assessed in the
elderly. Weight changes may have serious consequences for those suffering from
Alzheimer's disease. Poor nutrition and frailty, for example, often lead to
falls (and consequent broken bones), slow healing of wounds, and increased
physical dependence during the later stages of the illness.
The symptoms
of Alzheimer's disease, even during its early stages, may be made worse when an
individual does not receive adequate nourishment. In addition to careful
monitoring, some simple caregiving measures may help. For example, researchers
report that using brightly colored tableware may make it easier for those with
advanced Alzheimer's disease to see the food and beverages in front of them,
leading them to eat and drink more at mealtimes.
“This article provides
evidence that men who develop dementia tend to start losing weight at least
several years prior to their clinical diagnoses,” writes public health expert
Michael Grundman, M.D., M.P.H., in an editorial accompanying the study. He
points out that various genes and lifestyle factors likely play a role in who
develops Alzheimer's, and that providing extra food or nutrients to susceptible
seniors is not likely to have a big impact on preventing the disease or slowing
cognitive decline. “Nevertheless,” he continues, “even modest effects could have
large public health implications.” He calls for more rigorous study to examine
the potential effects of good nutrition on the course of the illness.
Learn more about the early
warning signs and the progression of Alzheimer's disease
Information provided by: alzinfo.org, The Alzheimer's Information Site
|
