by Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation

Men and women with Alzheimer’s disease often lose muscle mass, and the loss of muscle may be linked to shrinkage of the brain. The findings, which appeared in the Archives of Neurology, a medical journal from the American Medical Association, highlight the fact that Alzheimer’s disease is not just a disease of the brain but of the body as well.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive illness that shuts down the body as it attacks the mind. But while most people think of Alzheimer’s as a disease that affects memory and thinking skills, the physical toll of Alzheimer’s is often overlooked. In the current study, the authors found that loss of lean muscle mass – the weight of a person’s muscles, bones and internal organs, rather than body fat – was linked to an increased likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease.

Earlier studies have shown that seniors who quickly shed pounds are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s, and mental decline may be particularly rapid in such cases. Dementia may be especially likely in those who were overweight to begin with and then lose weight. Weight loss may precede the onset of Alzheimer’s by 10 to 20 years in some cases, suggesting that the disease may have a long latency period during which subtle changes like weight loss or minor memory problems may occur.

by Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation

Elderly men and women who are worried about memory loss are more likely to develop more serious memory and thinking problems, including Alzheimer’s disease, than their age-matched peers without memory problems, a new study reports. The findings are consistent with earlier research that the development of Alzheimer’s is a years-long process, with cognitive skills deteriorating until full blown Alzheimer’s dementia takes hold.

Mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, is a brain problem that impairs memory or other cognitive functioning but does not prevent activities of daily living like dressing, personal hygiene, eating or going about daily activities.

It has long been recognized as a potential precursor to the more severe impairment of Alzheimer’s disease. Some 10 percent to 20 percent of people with MCI, particularly those with memory problems progress to a diagnosis of full-blown Alzheimer’s each year. While MCI is a potential problem, it must also be remembered that memory impairment can also be caused by factors other than Alzheimer’s and may be treatable.