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Recent research conducted by Mass General Brigham found that alterations in memory reported by patients and their study partners may serve as an early indication of Alzheimer's disease, even preceding the onset of clinical symptoms.

Published in Neurology, the study revealed that individuals who experienced cognitive decline reported changes in brain structure associated with the accumulation of tau tangles, a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Rebecca E. Amariglio, a senior author of the study and clinical neuropsychologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, emphasized the significance of recognizing early signs of cognitive impairment.

"Something as simple as asking about memory complaints can track with disease severity at the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease," Amariglio said, Neuroscience News reported.

She noted that alterations in brain function due to Alzheimer's disease can manifest well before clinical symptoms are detected, emphasizing the importance of heeding patient and family member observations regarding changes in memory.

"We now understand that changes in the brain due to Alzheimer's disease start well before patients show clinical symptoms detected by a doctor. There is increasing evidence that individuals themselves or a close family member may notice changes in memory, even before a clinical measure picks up evidence of cognitive impairment."

Led by primary author Michalina F. Jadick, the recent study involved researchers from various departments within Brigham and Mass General. Their investigation, drawing participants from multiple studies including the A4/LEARN and Neurodegeneration studies, aimed to assess cognitively unimpaired individuals at risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Each participant, along with their study partner, completed cognitive function evaluations, accompanied by PET imaging to detect tau and amyloid beta levels.

Analyzing data from 675 participants, the team discovered that both amyloid and tau accumulation correlated with heightened self-reported cognitive decline, with subjective reports aligning with objective cognitive performance tests.

Despite the study's contributions, its generalizability is limited by the predominantly white and highly educated participant pool.

Dr. Amariglio stressed that while noticing changes in cognition does not definitively indicate Alzheimer's disease, concerns from patients or family members should not be disregarded. Additionally, further studies involving diverse populations and longer-term follow-ups are necessary to expand understanding in this area.