Is memory loss an early sign of Alzheimer's disease?

A. Memory loss is one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia however occasional forgetfulness is also a perfectly normal part of life. Certain types of memory slips, like forgetting names or where we parked the car, are common even among the young. As a matter of fact, in young and old alike, stress, sleep problems, certain prescription medicines and depression are associated with memory difficulties. Conversely, memory problems that considerably impair day-to-day functioning are cause for concern and must be evaluated by a qualified medical professional. Using best tools and psychological tests, skilled clinicians can diagnose Alzheimer's with 90 percent accuracy.

Search is on for ways to diagnose Alzheimer's earlier, even before symptoms may be apparent. Recent promising developments comprise using PET imaging to see and track amyloid plaques in the brain that characterize Alzheimer's disease and biological tests to look for disease "markers" in blood. Earlier diagnosis would be increasingly important as new therapies become available, as they - like treatments already on the market - may be most effective when begun in initial stages of disease.

For garden-variety memory slips that many of us may increasingly notice as we get older, best advice scientists give is to cope by adapting our habits and following a brain-healthy lifestyle. Memory training tips and programs, detailed in numerous good books by neuroscientists, can help us learn how to compensate for age-related changes in memory and other cognitive functions.