Weight Loss Marked as Sign for Alzheimer's Disease

Ivanhoe Newswire
Tuesday, September 12, 2006; 12:00 AM

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Weight loss may be a predictor to the development of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, according to new research.

Older adults often experience weight loss due to reduced appetite and diminishing height. Alzheimer's disease has also been linked to age-related weight loss. Patients who have late stage Alzheimer's disease can lose up to 2 pounds per year, and those who lose more weight often have their disease progress more quickly as well. But does weight loss occur before the diagnosis? That's the question asked in the latest research.

Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis studied weight loss before the development of dementia in 449 healthy adults. The participants were followed and assessed over a six year period.

During the six years, 125 participants developed dementia related to Alzheimer's disease. Study authors report the weight loss increased in patients who developed dementia. They report the participants lost 0.6 pounds per year when they didn't have dementia, but the year before they were diagnosed they lost 1.2 pounds.

Study authors say it's not clear how weight loss and developing dementia is associated. Some say the individuals forget to eat, however, this latest research reveals the weight loss begins before the diagnosis. Others suggest depression plays a role, but this study did not find a difference in weight loss in those that were depressed and those that were not. Researchers believe it may be a change in taste or smell and that needs to be studied.

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SOURCE: Archives of Neurology, 2006;63:1312-1317