A brain imaging scan of senior citizens in their 70s and 80s has identified biochemical changes in the brains of normal people who might be at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to research published in the Aug. 24, 2011, online issue of Neurology.

The study of 311 elderly people with no cognitive problems, from the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, used an advanced brain imaging technique called proton MR spectroscopy to see if they had abnormalities in several brain metabolites that may be biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. They also had PET scans to assess the level of amyloid-beta deposits, or plaques, in the brain that are one of the first signs of changes in the brain due to Alzheimer’s disease. The participants were also given tests of memory, language and other skills.

“There is increasing evidence that Alzheimer disease is associated with changes in the brain that start many years before symptoms develop,” said Jonathan M. Schott, MD, of the Dementia Research Centre.

“If we could identify people in whom the disease process has started but symptoms have not yet developed, we would have a potential window of opportunity for new treatments — as and when they become available — to prevent or delay the start of memory loss and cognitive decline.”

The study found that 33 percent of the participants had significantly high levels of amyloid-beta deposits in their brains.

The relationship between amyloid-beta deposits and these metabolic changes in the brain are evidence that some of these people may be in the earliest stages of the disease.

More research is needed that follows people over a period of years to determine which of these individuals will actually develop the disease and what the relationship is between the amyloid deposits and the metabolites. At the present time, MR spectroscopy cannot be used for diagnosis.

Alzheimer’s is a very scary disease that none of us desire. At one time or another we have all thought, I wonder if my forgetting is Alzheimer’s. If you would like more information or just have questions about Alzheimer’s, Annie Avery has spent the last 3 years working with individuals with the disease. She can be reached at 433-3462 or stop down to the senior center to see her.

Upcoming Events

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.; movie, “The Blind Side,” 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Pincohle, Cribbage, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; defensive driving, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.

Thursday: SilverSneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.; Bridge Tournament

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge Results

Aug. 22, three tables

1st Connie Johnson, 2nd  Lois Johnson, 3rd Russ Vaale, 4th Mary Johnsen, 5th Mabel Vaale

Tuesday “500” Results

Aug. 23, four tables

1st Willard Ballantyne, 2nd Gene Rauen, 3rd Duane Krebsbach, 4th Beulah Luthe

Tuesday Afternoon Bridge Results

Aug. 23, six tables

1st Loren Cleland, 1st Dave Ring; 2nd Larry Crowe, 2nd Dick Hansen, 2nd Jim Fisher, 2nd Bud Higgins; 3rd Vandy Newman, 3rd Steve Howard

Pinochle

Elaine Reynolds

Friday Bridge Results

Aug. 26, three tables

1st Mabel Vaale, 2nd Joanne Maxfield, 3rd Loretta Nelson, 4th Russ Vaale, 5th Bill Myers

Friday Cribbage Results

Aug. 2, one and a half tables

1st Hilton Henschen, 2nd Dorothy Schloo

Weekly “500” Results

Aug. 26, three tables

1st  Willard Ballantyne, 2nd Gene Rauen, 3rd Eddie Hall, 4th Dorothy Stern.

Weekly Cribbage Results

Aug. 24, three and one fourth tables

1st Dorothy Schloo, 2nd Loraine Low, 3rd Hilton Henschen.

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Labor Day, closed

Tuesday: Onion beef steak

Wednesday: Ham balls

Thursday: Baked chicken

Friday: Roast pork