Balance Problems an Early Clue for Alzheimer's?
Balance problems may be an early sign that someone has a dementia such as Alzheimer's. Research has found physical symptoms, such as problems with walking and balance, a weak hand grip (a later sign) are associated with an increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Dr Wang and fellow researchers from the University of Washington studied 2,288 over 65 year old people who at the onset of the study showed no signs of dementia. People were enrolled from 1994 to 1996 and followed up through October 2003. A 6 year period. After six years 319 individuals had developed dementia, 221 of them had Alzheimer's disease.
The study tested for physical functioning using a number of tests. It was found that people with good physical performance scores at the beginning of the investigation were three times less likely to develop dementia than those with poor scores.
This study suggests people unable to do some physical tasks as well as others may be at a greater risk of developing dementia. Higher levels of physical function may be associated with a delayed onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
The researchers believe that exercise may help to reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Article Source: Performance-Based Physical Function and Future Dementia in Older People
Li Wang, MS; Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH; James D. Bowen, MD; Gerald van Belle, PhD. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:1115-1120.
Author Affiliations: Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence, VA Puget Sound Health Care System (Ms Wang), Center for Health Studies, Group Health Cooperative (Dr Larson), and Departments of Medicine (Dr Larson), Neurology (Dr Bowen), and Biostatistics (Dr van Belle), University of Washington, Seattle.
