Alzheimer's begins with attention lapses

ST. LOUIS, Nov 9, 2005 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Washington University scientists in St. Louis say people in early stages of Alzheimer's disease have trouble attending to competing sources of information.

The researchers say that finding offers new support for theories that contend breakdowns in attention play an important role in the onset of the disease.

"Our results provide evidence that breakdowns in attention produce a clear change in the early stages of Alzheimer's-related dementia," said study co-author David Balota, a professor of psychology.

Problems in attention shifting -- such as driving a car while conversing with a passenger -- may offer a reliable clue that a patient is grappling with early symptoms of Alzheimer's-related dementia.

While it's well known that memory skills deteriorate as Alzheimer's progresses, recent research by Balota and study lead author, Associate Professor Janet Duchek, suggest breakdowns in attention may be at the heart of many cognitive problems linked with Alzheimer's.

"Because attention is prerequisite for memory, one might suspect that attention is one of the contributing culprits, at least early on in the disease," Duchek said.

The study was published in a recent issue of the journal Neuropsychology.

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