Identifying Early Signs of Alzheimer’s in Your Sleep
Alzheimer’s disease is serious, common, and not very easy to detect. Despite this, researchers from the University of Colorado’s medical campus and researchers from Washington University have found a way to detect the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease through the brain’s activity during sleep using a digital biomarker headband device.
The headband device, similar to a fitness tracker for the brain, uses electroencephalography, a test of brain activity, to inspect the patterns of the brain’s waves during sleep. Since these brain waves relate to the reactivation of memory and the part of the brain that processes memories during deep sleep, researchers have found that the results of the electroencephalography readings can be expressive of Alzheimer’s disease’s early symptoms. The data that comes from the headband device analyzes the levels of proteins like tau and amyloid which are generally increased in someone who has Alzheimer’s disease. These biomarkers and abnormal levels of these proteins are helpful for identification in adults who are not showing symptoms, which could then help them in easing the severity or take preventative measures early on.
With Alzheimer’s disease being a difficult disease to detect in its early stages while also affecting so many individuals, the discovery of this device creates a new way to mitigate the issue. This also potentially allows more diseases to be prevented through the sleep reading device.
Madeline Gould (1)
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. "A fitness tracker for brain health: How a headband can identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease in your sleep." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 August 2023. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/08/230823122623.htm>.
As someone with loved ones affected by Alzheimer's disease, it is always good to hear that more research is being done on it. It is definitely crucial to identify the disease as early as possible so you can take precautions. I find it really interesting that this detection takes place during sleep. We think we are doing nothing when we sleep, but our brain is still busy! Are you interested in neuroscience?
ReplyDeleteAnya Quaglietta
It is not overly surprising to me that lack of sleep can be a contributing factor to Alzheimer's, especially when considering the other mental health conditions that can be attributed to a lack of sleep. It is really incredible that we are able to find more and more ways to detect diseases early on
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting! The fact that there is a piece of technology that can analyze brain activity and detect abnormal levels of proteins (like the tau and amyloid proteins) in order to determine risk for this disease is such a crazy concept. Technology is evolving, and learning more about the mechanics behind the science of it all would be so interesting to me. Some questions I had when reading were: What would be some preventative measures one could take if they are aware they are at risk for Alzheimers? And I know that there is no cure for Alzheimer's, but could this research be used in any way to pave new ground?
ReplyDeleteI thought about similar things while reading, because yes it is super interesting that they find a way to identify early signs of Alzheimer's this way but what can one do with that information? In regards to your other question, I think this research allows for more things to explore to hopefully works towards new discoveries in finding a cure.
DeleteThis was a very interesting read and there was lots of information covered. I have heard many studies about Alzheimer’s disease and I was wondering if there was case studies done with the drug Lecanemad. Meaning, was there a trial done where there were some patients who got the drug and patients that received a placebo pill. This may be out of your knowledge but I always wonder about the process on how drugs get approved by the FDA.
ReplyDeleteMolly McGonagle
Hi Madeline! This is very interesting to hear. I wonder if once this way of Alzheimer detection becomes more successful and more common, if only certain people would be able to get the test. For example, if you are genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease or if you are currently having symptoms. I would be curious to see if just about anyone could do this test.
ReplyDeleteChloe Springer
I think it is always good to see research into Alzheimer's, as it is a disease where we don't know all that much about identifying it early and treating it. Many times, I think that Alzheimer's could be treatable if it was caught earlier on, but we don't have the facilities to reliably predict when it might happen or with who. Finding a way to reliably and accurately predict whether someone will get Alzheimer's is a step in the right direction and could help those afflicted with the disease live without it's ill affects.
ReplyDelete-Sid Warrier
Hi Maddy. I think that this invention sounds pretty helpful. I am wondering if it could become widespread or if cost is a big barrier for that to occur. Another week 1 blog poster wrote about treating Alzheimer's. It seems like a lot of progress is being made in combating Alzheimer's and more is to come. I had a relative that suffered from a similar cognitive disease so I am glad for this news. - Calvin Keating
ReplyDeleteI had the same thoughts while reading this. If this were to become widespread it would be very groundbreaking in my opinion in maybe learning even more about Alzheimer's disease, but I agree that there would probably be a big cost barrier that would not allow it to be a common device for people to own.
DeleteThis is so interesting, Maddy! I think this research will be very useful for families with a lineage of Alzheimers, as it could give them a head start on what sort of treatments or plans they could implement in efforts to supplement symptoms early. I think this sort of biotechnology is so innovative and will provide patients with more peace of mind and hope. Is this a field that you are interested in? Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! I think especially for people with Alzheimer's disease running in their family, this is an easy way to find out if they are showing early signs. Since it's just something you wear in your sleep, it is nothing more to add to your daily routine. Not only is it easy, but also super informative and important to your future health.
DeleteHi Maddy! This is a very interesting article with lots of information! This really makes me wonder what the inner-workings of this brain device look like and how it's even possible to detect protein levels from the outside of someone's body. I never would have thought something like this was possible!
ReplyDelete^ - Nicole M.
DeleteI found this discussion post both explanatory and educational, and I found myself intrigued to learn even more about these biomarker headband devices. With Alzheimer’s disease often being detected in its late stages, it’s refreshing to see the work of new technology be able to possibly detect the disease earlier to allow those affected to seek the treatment they need. This shows how our technology of today is vastly improving, especially in the medical field.
ReplyDelete-Matthew Rosen