5 Truths That Spawned 5 Myths About Alzheimer's & Dementia

Sometimes the truth can be very misleading. This is often the case with complex topics when an "expert" makes a narrow but accurate statement that is subsequently generalized by the lay public, a common occurrence with regard Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Here are five examples of true statements that have been so commonly misinterpreted that they have spawned five harmful and well-entrenched myths about Alzheimer's and dementia.

Truth #1: There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease.
Myth: Because there is no cure, nothing can be done for patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Like diabetes and hypertension, we cannot yet cure Alzheimer's disease. However, physicians can intervene and manage the symptoms with more success than most headlines indicate. In fact, with a timely diagnosis, a physician can prescribe a treatment plan including pharmaceutical therapy, improved diet, physical exercise, mental and social activity, and certain over-the-counter supplements. When this approach is combined with an educated caregiver providing care, Alzheimer's disease progression can commonly be slowed for some meaningful period of time.

Truth #2: The only certain method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease is to inspect a sample of brain tissue during autopsy.
Myth: Alzheimer's disease cannot be accurately diagnosed until death.

If "certain" means 100% accuracy, then there is no certain diagnostic method for many well known diseases—Lou Gehrig's disease springs immediately to mind, for example. However, physicians following published diagnostic guidelines can make a highly accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, with 90–95% accuracy, even at a fairly early stage of the disease. This diagnostic accuracy is on par with commonly accepted clinical practice.

Truth #3: Current treatments do not stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Myth: Since the disease will continue to progress, there is no need to bother with treatment.

There is no doubt that reversing all memory loss would be the best treatment result and halting further memory loss would be better than ongoing decline. However, this does not mean that slowing the pace of further decline is not a worthy pursuit. We all want better treatment options for Alzheimer's disease in the future, but until they arrive, preserving quality of life during a patient's final years is definitely a worthwhile and attainable goal.

Truth #4: Cognitive decline is a part of normal aging.
Myth: Pronounced cognitive deficits need to be expected and tolerated.

As we age, all of our organic functions tend to slow. Our ability to think, make calculations, use judgment, and store and retrieve information is not immune to this process. However, a pronounced loss of cognitive capacity severe enough to impact a person's ability to lead an independent life is not normal. When such decline occurs, there is some underlying pathological explanation that can be identified and treated by a physician. Accepting significant loss of mental function as a normal artifact of aging is a tragedy. Alzheimer's disease is not considered part of the normal aging process.

Truth #5: It's best not to know if you have Alzheimer's disease.
Myth: It's best if the problem stays undiagnosed.

This final "truth" is a stretch to begin with. I can imagine that, if it were possible, Alzheimer's patients might enjoy life more if they could receive the highest standards of care without ever knowing they had a terrible disease. However, this does not make the case that the problem should be ignored. The evidence in favor of managing the symptoms and prolonging a higher quality of life outweighs the presumed benefits of bliss. Additionally, patients with Alzheimer's disease need to know about their condition if they are to participate meaningfully in their own care and end-of-life decisions.

I hear and read these narrow "truths" in the media every day. I also see firsthand how the public mischaracterizes them and takes away a broader and more harmful message than is intended.

Education remains a major barrier between our current ability to care for patients with Alzheimer's disease and the higher standards that are within our grasp. I hope we can begin to divorce ourselves from these sound bites of truth and begin to see the big picture of Alzheimer's disease with more clarity.

Posted in Brain Health, Memory Loss & Alzheimer's, Treating Symptoms, Treatment, Types & Causes of Dementias