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Diagnostic Criteria for Alzheimer’s Being Developed

Alzheimer's Disease is many times a precursor to dementia. More than 5 million people in the United States are living with this disease. It can be a disabling condition that may result in a person needing Social Security disability benefits if they are unable to continue working and do not yet qualify for retirement benefits.

The Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging have proposed diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's. There currently are no tests available to accurately predict the onset of Alzheimer's and the development of this criterion may change that.

The proposal for this criterion is to cover 3 vital stages of Alzheimer's disease, which are:

• Pre-clinical Alzheimer's;
• Mild cognitive impairment; and
• Alzheimer's dementia.

The earlier Alzheimer's can be detected, the earlier treatment can begin which could make a significant difference in the outcome of this disease.

So far, studying patients with Alzheimer's has shown that changes in the brain are good indicators for this disease. There appears to be a 65% greater risk of Alzheimer's in people who have a small hippocampus. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that stores and forms memory.

It has also been found that Alzheimer's may be affected by small blood vessels in the brain that are diseased. In addition, the cerebral spinal fluid could be a source of helping indicate the onset of Alzheimer's.

If you suffer from Alzheimer's or any other severe mental or physical disability, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. You should contact a Social Security disability lawyer who can help determine if you are eligible.

Get a FREE Social Security disability guide and avoid the common mistakes many claimants make during their application or appeal. If you or your loved is suffering from a severe physical or mental disability, contact The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. 1-888-234-5758