Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia in older adults, with symptoms like memory loss and cognitive decline leading to sudden loss of independence and stress for the individual dealing with it. 

A recent study has found that Alzheimer’s features two phases of development – and the first phase is often entirely missed due to the subtle changes to the brain before more outward symptoms are seen. 

With this new research about the “silent phase” of Alzheimer’s, new methods of targeted treatment and earlier detection could be made possible, allowing for less suffering from Alzheimer’s and continued independence for much longer than before. 

The Silent Phase: Subtle and Slow 

This “quiet” phase of Alzheimer’s occurs long before any noticeable memory problems arise.  

During this phase, beta-amyloid plagues and tangles, which are well-known markers of Alzheimer’s, are observed as brain cells subtly change, disturbing communication in the brain region associated with memory, language, and vision.  

The death of somatostatin inhibitory neurons is another marker to be noticed during this phase: this new finding challenges the previously hailed idea that Alzheimer’s primarily affects excitatory neurons, instead.  

This means that because different cells are affected, researchers and medical professionals can investigate these cells instead, potentially leading to earlier detection of Alzheimer’s and more targeted treatment methods. 

The Quick Decline Phase: Symptoms Arise 

The second phase of Alzheimer’s is vastly different to the first. Rapid accumulation of amyloid plaques and tangles, neural damage, and cognitive decline symptoms like memory loss and confusion are hallmarks of the second phase. 

Cells associated with the inflammation that can also come with Alzheimer’s have been shown to counteract initial changes, releasing molecules or altering structures to demonstrate the infamous biological changes of Alzheimer’s. 

These changes to the brain’s chemistry focused on the region vital to memory, language, and visual processing – the area most susceptible to damage due to Alzheimer’s. 

What Does This Mean for Diagnoses and Treatment? 

The results of this study significantly changed how scientists understood Alzheimer’s effects on the brain; by recognizing these two different phases of the disease, researchers and healthcare professionals alike can alter treatment to the specific cellular changes, which could lead to early intervention and better patient outcomes. 

Alzheimer’s long pre-symptomatic period could present a chance for early detection and intervention – which can prevent the onset of dementia symptoms. 

How Does Hearing Care Correlate to Alzheimer’s? 

It’s no secret that untreated hearing loss and dementia go hand in hand – research from Johns Hopkins noted that hearing loss is responsible for 8% of all dementia diagnoses each year.