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NNadir

(36,198 posts)

26. I discussed this very modern test elsewhere on this site, asking others, (and myself) if they would take it.

Fri Jun 13, 2025, 11:08 PM

Jun 13

There's likely a test. Would you really want to know the result?

I wrote it in the Science forum.

This surprising find came in on my news feed. Just a few years ago, there was no biomarker; now apparently there are five

I am currently reading Charles Piller's Doctored, Fraud, Arrogance and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's.

I am peripherally interested in the science of Alzheimer's, having supported teams working in the area.

Piller does quite a nice job at addressing "preventive treatment" of dubious value and high risk.

According to the book, and I'll need to verify this in the literature if I have time, there are people who test positive for tau oligomers who don't get dementia. I know of whole families who are positive for the APOE2 gene where Alzheimer's is unknown. People are looking into the genome of these families to see what's going on. It's rare enough to have not been known, but a chance discovery showed the case to exist.

As for the disease itself, and worrying about getting it, and ruining the surprise by finding out...

I wouldn't want to be tempted to take take test, and I won't do so. There's no reason to do so. I recognize I'm in decline, but that's the fun of growing old. The alternative was dying young. I have noticed some changes to my memory, particularly for names, and certain technical terms and concepts. The other day, I couldn't remember that neutron absorption in ¹³⁸Ba results in the transmutation to lanthanum - the word "lanthanum" escaped me - but while I've always had a working knowledge of all the stable s, p, and d elements, I've sometimes stumbled, even when young, with the lanthanides. I can live without the word "lanthanum" on the tip of my tongue. Reciting the periodic table was always a cheap parlor trick anyway.

One will find out one's future by living it, maybe at the risk to not be cognizant enough to know it, in short order. What's the use of predicting the future? To me, mortality strikes me as a beautiful thing, as life is more precious in its presence.

As long as I know I love my wife, I'm OK and life, for whatever it is, is worth living.

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Highlight:

Had a blood test for dementia today... [View all] CTyankee Jun 13 OP

Did the test reveal dementia? pandr32 Jun 13 #1

No, I haven't received the test results yet. I just saw it written on the order as reason for test. CTyankee Jun 13 #2

I hope you get good news. pandr32 Jun 14 #33

Don't worry. I will. Onward! CTyankee Jun 14 #34

That's a relief JoseBalow Jun 14 #53

Thank you for being open with this. We all need to confront it - for ourselves and others around us. erronis Jun 13 #3

My diagnosis, you write too well to be at high risk. But might check with my doc. Silent Type Jun 13 #4

Well, if it is dementia, I am in the early stages and writing is probably a great thing for my mind. CTyankee Jun 13 #5

God bless ya, CTyankee!! Talitha Jun 13 #30

well, it is nice being cool then! CTyankee Jun 14 #35

This is why I play bridge. ananda Jun 13 #6

And do crossword puzzles with your non dominant hand BOSSHOG Jun 13 #9

Believe it or not, I play cryptic crosswords... ananda Jun 13 #13

Good for you My Friend BOSSHOG Jun 13 #15

Stayin active is great! ananda Jun 13 #18

A GRUMPY Old Doctor BOSSHOG Jun 13 #21

With arthritis in my lower back it is a challenge. CTyankee Jun 14 #36

Both my hubby and myself need to do that. OldBaldy1701E Jun 13 #7

What is exactly being tested by blood work? irisblue Jun 13 #8

I don''t know. I just saw it written in the box on the form. I'll ask next time I call the doc's office or when I get CTyankee Jun 14 #37

I have a medical portal. multigraincracker Jun 14 #52

you sound pretty easy going; i'd be really pissed off if they were testing me for something and didn't tell me or orleans Jun 13 #10

No, I had called his office a left a message about my memory concerns. I'm OK with how he handlled it. CTyankee Jun 14 #45

well, that's good. i'm glad. nt orleans Jun 14 #50

Hits home Iamscrewed Jun 13 #11

Memory... 3825-87867 Jun 13 #12

My mother told me that my sister bought some memory pills but kept forgetting to take them. Chuckling as she told it. Norrrm Jun 13 #16

I have one of those little boxes with compartments of days Morning Noon Evening Night and hubby helps by arranging the CTyankee Jun 14 #46

Watch What You Say to Your Doctor yellowdogdemocrat1 Jun 13 #14

They have a blood test for dementia? Norrrm Jun 13 #17

Yep. That surprised me, too! CTyankee Jun 14 #47

That's really really generous of you CTyankee JMCKUSICK Jun 13 #19

Well, I consider DU my extended family. CTyankee Jun 14 #38

A blood test for dementia? I've never heard of such a thing. malthaussen Jun 13 #20

The FDA just approved one. See reply 22. highplainsdem Jun 13 #24

Please remember that even the most accurate tests can give false positives. Don't automatically highplainsdem Jun 13 #22

Taking too many prescription drugs can also cause it womanofthehills Jun 14 #40

I take very few drugs for an old person. I consider myself fortunate. CTyankee Jun 14 #48

Anxiety can also be detrimental to your memory 10 Turtle Day Jun 14 #42

Anxiety can also cause memory problems 10 Turtle Day Jun 14 #43

Interesting, from your link: scipan Jun 14 #49

This message was self-deleted by its author COL Mustard Jun 13 #23

My wife and I went to a seminar about dementia since her parents and my father and stepmother are developing turbinetree Jun 13 #25

I discussed this very modern test elsewhere on this site, asking others, (and myself) if they would take it. NNadir Jun 13 #26

"One will find out one's future by living it" OAITW r.2.0 Jun 13 #29

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 13 #27

Why have you posted this 3 times? chouchou Jun 13 #28

Didn't know they could test for THAT, particularly. elleng Jun 13 #31

Your writing and expression are impeccable. pacalo Jun 13 #32

Thank you! CTyankee Jun 14 #39

RE: Tyrant in the White House. Canada Kid Jun 14 #41

I hope you get very good results. My husband mentioned to the Primary Care MD, that he was having with his memory. Now debm55 Jun 14 #44

You don't need a blood test. Here's the cheat sheet. bucolic_frolic Jun 14 #51

Good for you. MuseRider Jun 14 #54

Forntunately, I spend a lot of my days in art history, which I started to do about 15 years ago. CTyankee Jun 15 #57

Wonderful! MuseRider Jun 15 #58

With the internet SO much is possible. Just pick an artist you like and Google does its thing! CTyankee Jun 15 #59

I was thinking of that exact thing just now. MuseRider Jun 15 #60

Most of Degas' ballet works were painted in the Opera Garnier in Paris which you can visit today. CTyankee Jun 15 #61

I have written a book about art and music because it fascinates me. How do you paint what you can't see? CTyankee Jun 15 #62

My experience MuseRider Jun 14 #55

Posted twice and cant MuseRider Jun 14 #56