Alzheimer’s isn’t a part of normal aging but rather a degenerative brain disease that causes dementia. If you suspect that you or your loved one has Alzheimer’s, it’s essential to see a doctor and diagnose the condition.
Among the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s are gradual memory loss, poor judgment, behavioral changes, and an inability to function. This disorder occurs mainly among people over the age of 65. Still, less common forms of the condition can appear in childhood.
Memory loss is the most impending sign. It starts with subtle forgetfulness and gradually worsens until it interferes with most of the daily living aspects. Someone with Alzheimer’s may appear confused and lost, even in adeptly familiar settings.
Routine tasks like doing laundry, household chores, and preparing meals start to become challenging. In addition, recognizing faces and naming objects becomes a problem, and the patient may need help with basic care like dressing and eating.
As the disease progresses, some Alzheimer’s patients begin to experience drastic behavioral and personality changes that deter them from proper social interaction. They may exhibit symptoms such as agitation, withdrawal changes, losing language skills, and restlessness. During the advanced stages of the disease, victims require total care.
Usually, affected people will survive 8 to 10 years after exhibiting the symptoms, although the cause of Alzheimer’s spans from 1 to 25 years. The survival period is shorter among people diagnosed after the age of 80 than among those diagnosed when younger. The cause of death can be pneumonia, malnutrition, or inanition (general wasting away of the body).
Alzheimer’s disease is classified as early-onset or late-onset, with early-onset signs appearing in people from their 30s to early 60s. Late-onset appears among people in their mid- to late-60s. Early-onset is not as common as late-onset and accounts for less than 10% of all Alzheimer’s disease cases.
Alzheimer’s at Cognes
Cognes Healthcare is a PLC with its principal business headquarters at 3614 Meridian Street, Suite 101, Bellingham, WA 98225. The company is involved in carrying out scientific research and reproducing it in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The study by Cognes Healthcare uses only genetic and self-reported information obtained from consenting-informed users regarding the pertinent consent document. The activities of Cognes Healthcare Research do not involve R&D.
To access and use the services at Cognes, whether online or physically, you have to agree to certain requirements. One must submit a saliva sample and accept the terms of service for the company. Still, you must be of legal age to form a requisite agreement with Cognes Healthcare, plus you must also be someone barred from using services bound by the legal jurisdiction of your residential area or from the services you use.
In addition to the conditions mentioned earlier, you must be 18 or older to provide your genetic information and a saliva sample or agree to the terms of service. If you choose to use the online services by creating a Cognes healthcare account, you must be of age 13 or older to use the services or accept the terms of service. People aged 18 and younger do not need to provide their genetic information or saliva samples.
Genetic Analysis at Cognes
At Cognes, we execute several genetic tests and mappings to diagnose and recommend treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease. We understand that genes play a vital role in developing several types of dementia, although the extent of the genetic role depends on the dementia type.
For example, someone with a parent or dementia-affected siblings is at higher risk of developing a similar type of dementia. However, other factors, like lifestyle changes, also play a role.
Presently, there is no clear understanding of the relationship between dementia and genetics. Nonetheless, we know that a slight genetic mutation in a small number of genes can cause a genetic inheritance of dementia or rarer forms of Alzheimer’s. Both of these conditions begin among people younger than 65 years.
At Cognes, we employ predictive genetic testing on the genes of someone with a birth relative who is diagnosed with dementia. The genetic test aims to see whether the relative inherits a similar mutation and will develop dementia in the future.
Presently, the possibility of predictive genetic testing exists for an inherited Alzheimer’s disease where there is an implication of a mutation in three very rare genes or frontotemporal dementia that involves at least six genes.
For most people, any Alzheimer’s disease inheritance risk, either increased or decreased, links not to the sporadic genetic mutations but to the wide variation in many suspected inherited genes. APOE is the most shared risk gene. It has several variants, and the e4 variant is most known to cause inheritance-based Alzheimer’s.
Presently, the UK is the only region approved for researching the APOE variants separate from the approved research studies. Key takeaway: non-UK-based research companies will only analyze saliva samples sent off to the testing posts. Still, APOE results have a low predictive value.
Note that someone with double copies of the variant e4 must not have Alzheimer’s, although someone with other variants might still develop the disease. This poor APOE predictive value is why the test is barred from outside research surveys.
Cognes Competitive Benefits
Although the market is currently characterized by minimal biomarker tools, Cognes still retains a competitive advantage over its competitors in the following ways:
First, our research process and results are cost-effective and scalable. We have vast resources and the ability to conduct multiple tests simultaneously for people with dementia, an ability many organizations lack.
When it comes to customer convenience, Cognes Healthcare is at the top of the table. We also conduct sophisticated, non-invasive tests. When you enroll in our healthcare system, you will always want to come back. Many of our tests are also self-administered, for example, cognitive tests, voice analysis tests, and genetic analysis. You can do them at your convenience.
Additionally, Alzheimer’s tests need sophisticated biomarkers to identify your biological state for an accurate diagnosis. Our healthcare involves continuous research for potential biomarkers that indicate Alzheimer’s at its very initial stages.
For instance, we continually study beta-amyloid and tau levels, as well as brain changes, through MRI scans. Research indicates there is a possibility that these indicators will change at different disease stages. Therefore, you can be sure we won’t miss the sickness, even if it’s in small amounts.