Alzheimer's in Belgium: a growing concern
In Belgium, the impact of dementia is becoming increasingly clear, with statistics showing that one in five people and one in three women develop the disease. Alzheimer's, which accounts for 70% of these cases, remains a challenge in healthcare, mainly due to limited treatment options that are mainly effective in the early stages of the disease.
Innovative approaches for early diagnosis
Professor Christine Bastin of the University of Liège leads innovative research with the aim of detecting Alzheimer's early. By focusing on new methods of diagnosis, she hopes to increase the effectiveness of future treatments by identifying the disease earlier.
Delving into memory networks: a new hope
At the heart of the research is the analysis of two different memory networks. These networks include detailed recall of specific events and general recall of global information. For example, the distinction between remembering buying specific brands like Evian, versus remembering buying a general product like water. By studying these networks in both normally ageing individuals and people with Alzheimer's, her team aims to develop neuropsychological tests more sensitive to detecting early stages of Alzheimer's.
