Knowing how key cognitive functions could change in people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can make a significant difference to patients and those caring for them. Although the underlying pathology is similar in most with the condition, the rates and severity of their deterioration varies. A prospective study conducted by an international team of researchers has now confirmed age, sex, irregular heart rhythms, and daily activity levels provide the most reliable predictors of declining cognition.
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Measures of cognitive decline were significant for all of the participants, though there was sufficient variation to uncover some relationships. Being older, being female, having difficulty with daily activities, and having a history of atrial fibrillation (issues with irregular heart rhythms) were identified by the researchers as predicting the biggest declines in cognitive ability.
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As research continues, we’re getting better at predicting how Alzheimer’s might progress: a recently developed technique uses brain scans and various biomarkers to predict cognitive decline over five years, for instance.
