Losing interest in hobbies and other activities in older age could be an early sign of dementia, according to scientists.
Apathy in older people suggests a loss of grey matter and offers doctors a new tool with which to identify a group of the population at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
A study showed elderly people who are apathetic but not suffering depression have shrinking amounts of grey and white matter – neurons in the brain that control memory and communication respectively.
Official launch of the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Campaign at West Suffolk Hospital. Image of the corridor before work begins.
Matt Stott Friday, April 4, 2014
12:04 PM
People living with dementia in Suffolk need better access to support services, a report has claimed, after it emerged more than 5,000 sufferers live with the condition undiagnosed.
Doctors need better resources to provide good advice to newly-diagnosed dementia patients and double their current detection rate of the disease to meet new tougher government targets, the University of East Anglia (UEA) said.
