Current Alzheimer’s disease research is focused on early diagnosis of the disease in the hopes of delaying progression of symptoms. The basis for this approach relies on detecting mild cognitive impairment and following up with imaging techniques and biomarkers that indicate presence of disease. If early evidence of Alzheimer’s is found, medicine may be used to delay loss of cognitive function.

Imaging techniques look at brain volume and functionality. Magnetic resonance imaging can measure total brain volume or look at specific areas of the brain that are affected by Alzheimer’s. Unusually small volumes or losses over time indicate a problem. Other techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and positron emission tomography, measure changes that relate to loss of function. Some of these methods are expensive and others are not widely available, but that may change with time.

Biomakers are used to search for the presence of chemicals of abnormal Alzheimer’s disease processes. The biomarkers are measured in the cerebrospinal fluid. Sampling cerebrospinal fluid can be painful. Some of the markers are not specific to Alzheimer’s but are indicative of several types of dementia.

If tests reveal that mild cognitive impairment related to Alzheimer’s is present, then drugs may be used to delay further loss of cognitive function. There are two types of medications available: acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. These medicines are moderately effective, but ongoing research may produce even more effective treatments.

Research on early detection techniques and treatment is very encouraging. As the US population ages and the numbers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease increases, this work will become critically important.