A recent study found that people who report having memory problems, corroborated by their partners, have higher levels of tau tangles, a key biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease. This correlation suggests that early detection of memory problems could be crucial for effective intervention, particularly with the advent of new treatments.
Early memory impairments, validated by partners, are linked to increased tau tangles in the brain, highlighting the potential for early memory impairments. Alzheimer’s detection and intervention.
People who report early memory problems and whose partners also suspect they have memory problems have higher levels of tau tangles in the brain, a biomarker associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This is what a study published in the May 29, 2024 online issue of Neurologythe medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Subjective cognitive decline occurs when a person reports problems with memory and thinking before the decline is significant enough to show up on standard tests.
Importance of the first signs
“Understanding the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease is even more important now that new disease-modifying drugs are becoming available,” said study author Rebecca E. Amariglio, PhD, of Harvard Medical School at Boston. “Our study found that early suspicions of memory problems, both in participants and in people who knew them well, were linked to higher levels of tau tangles in the brain. »
Study methodology
The study included 675 adults with an average age of 72 who did not have cognitive impairment on formal testing. All underwent brain scans looking for amyloid plaques. Of this group, 60% had elevated amyloid levels, meaning they were at risk of developing cognitive impairment from Alzheimer’s disease, even though, at the time of the analysis, they were cognitively normal. Participants didn’t know if they had high amyloid levels.
Each participant had a study partner – a spouse, child or friend – who could answer questions about the participant’s thinking and memory skills and their ability to perform daily tasks. In 65% of cases, the partners lived with the participants.
Each participant and their partner completed a questionnaire to assess the participant’s subjective cognitive decline. Questions included: “Compared to a year ago, do you think your memory has decreased significantly?” » » and “Compared to a year ago, are you having more difficulty managing your money? Participant and partner scores were recorded with higher scores indicating greater memory complaints.
The researchers also looked at brain scans for levels of Tau tangles. The larger tau protein is also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and is present at higher levels in people with high amyloid levels.
Results and implications
The scientists found that participants with higher levels of tau tangles in the brain had higher complaints scores on the memory questionnaire. Their partners also gave them higher ratings. This association was stronger in participants with higher levels of amyloid plaques.
“Our study included a high percentage of people with elevated amyloid, and for this reason we were also able to see that memory impairment was associated with higher tau tangles,” Amariglio said. “Our results suggest that asking older adults with elevated Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers about subjective cognitive decline could prove useful for early detection. This is particularly important since it is expected that treatments administered at the earliest diagnosed form of the disease will be most effective in slowing the disease.
Limitations and future research
Limitations of the study include the fact that most participants were white and highly educated. Amariglio noted that future studies should follow people for longer periods of time and include more participants from other racial and ethnic groups, as well as people with different education levels.
To learn more about this research, see Memory complaints may predict biological changes in the brain.
