Researchers already knew that a substance called amyloid-beta, which can build up in the brain and interfere with neurological functions, was the main cause of Alzheimer's disease.
However, experts think they might have identified a way to determine if patients are already suffering from this type of build-up in the brain, before they begin exhibiting symptoms.
"This opens up a whole series of important questions, and answering them may lead to alternative drugs or other agents to benefit Alzheimer's patients," Dave Morgan, an Alzheimer's expert at the University of South Florida, told the news source.
An advancement in Alzheimer's care for people with progressive cognitive decline could be extremely beneficial to Americas aging population. The Mayo Clinic reports that by 2050, between 11 and 16 million Americans will be afflicted by the disease.
Currently, Alzheimer's patients are most often able to receive homecare until their disease progresses to a more advanced state.
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