Three of the other four suffered from other forms of dementia. It's very small. For more than a decade, researchers have believed Alzheimer's was a disease of the aged, says Khachaturian. But this latest research suggests something different. The good news is that earlier diagnosis can mean earlier interventions, both Morris and Khachaturian say.
Drugs can stall the disease's progress, and the sooner the better.
But it also means they and their families can make plans, he adds. If memory or other cognitive problems are bothering you, Khachaturian says, or if those close to you notice a change. If you're concerned about yourself or a friend or family member, Khachaturian recommends seeing a specialist in memory disorders or a neuropsychologist. For more information, try the Alzheimer Research Forum . You can also learn more about Alzheimer's at the Alzheimer's Association .