A recent report in Alzheimer's & Dementia : The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association calls for "objective criteria" to diagnose all dementia types , including the newly recognized LATE. Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) is a type of dementia that, while causing memory and thinking issues like Alzheimer’s , stems from different causes. LATE, which becomes more common in later life, plays a significant role in memory loss and cognitive decline , says Rebecca M.
Edelmayer, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association vice president of scientific engagement.
"LATE is defined by changes in the TDP-43 protein in brain tissue and frequently co-exists with Alzheimer’s disease changes, such as buildup of beta amyloid plaques and tau tangles," Edelmayer explained to Fox News Digital . Alzheimer's disease often comes to mind with memory problems, but LATE is a distinct condition with unique features. It's not uncommon for individuals to exhibit signs of both LATE and Alzheimer's.
According to Edelmayer, the proposed criteria are designed to help doctors distinguish LATE from Alzheimer’s, which could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better treatments. Dementia results from alterations in specific brain areas that disrupt neurons and their connections, leading to impaired function. Researchers have linked changes in the brain to certain forms of dementia.
For instance, the characteristic brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s are the accumulation of amyloid p.
