Researchers have discovered a potential red flag sign for Alzheimer's disease that is extremely debilitating for both the sufferer and their family.
A new study has found that failing to identify multiple objects and a "space perception deficit" could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease.
According to the research, deficits in executive function, memory, behaviour, speech and language were identified. At the point of diagnosis, 61 per cent of participants showed signs of "constructional dyspraxia" - which was patients looking unable to copy or draw up basic diagrams or figures. Marianne Chapleau, PhD, of the UCSF Department of Neurology said: "We need more awareness of PCA so that it can be flagged by clinicians. Most patients see their optometrist when they start experiencing visual symptoms and may be referred to an ophthalmologist who may also fail to recognize PCA.
The study identified levels of tau and amyloid - found in cerebrospinal fluid and imaging - and autopsy data, and matched these with data found in typical Alzheimer's cases. The expert said: "However, at UCSF we are considering treatments for patients with PCA and other non-amnestic variants."
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