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A new study conducted by investigators from Mass General Brigham has revealed an innovative way to detect early changes in daily functioning in individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that a brief, simulated task of navigating a phone menu can assess an older adult’s performance and determine the presence of Alzheimer’s disease pathology, including amyloid and tau depositions in the brain. These findings, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, promise to inform prevention trials and test potential treatments before a significant cognitive decline occurs.
The Objective Assessment:
This phone menu test provides a more objective assessment of daily functioning compared to traditional questionnaires that rely on input from someone familiar with the individual. By detecting clinically meaningful changes earlier, researchers hope to improve early intervention strategies for Alzheimer’s disease.
The Harvard Automated Phone Task:
The study utilized the Harvard Automated Phone Task (APT), which includes three tasks commonly encountered on a phone menu. Participants were asked to complete tasks such as refilling a prescription, calling a health insurance company to select a new primary care physician, and handling a banking transaction. The interactive voice response system allowed participants to navigate the phone menu and complete these tasks. Other assessments, cognitive testing, and brain scans were also conducted to provide comprehensive data on the participants’ cognitive abilities and the presence of amyloid and tau pathology.
Early Detection and Implications:
The study revealed that a significant portion of clinically normal participants showed elevated amyloid and tau levels in their brains and experienced difficulties with the more challenging tasks of the daily functioning assessment. This finding is significant as it goes beyond the common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, such as short-term memory difficulties and word-finding problems. By assessing daily functioning more sensitively and objectively, researchers aim to identify Alzheimer’s disease earlier, facilitating timely interventions.
Future Considerations:
While the study demonstrated the potential of the phone menu test, it was limited by a lack of diversity among participants. Further research is needed to replicate the findings in more representative study populations and explore associations over extended periods. Nonetheless, the study’s strength lies in its ability to be conducted outside a clinical setting, allowing participants to complete the tasks independently.
Conclusion:
The discovery of using a phone menu test to assess daily functioning in individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease offers a promising approach for early detection. By capturing an individual’s ability to complete complex everyday tasks, this objective measurement can complement traditional questionnaires and provide valuable insights into the preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease. As further research unfolds, the phone menu test may revolutionize early intervention strategies and improve outcomes for those at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Reference: Phone menu test assesses daily functioning in people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease