Alzheimer's: A disease of the young?

Friday, 10 November, 2000, 18:05 GMT - Figures suggest that more and more
young people are being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

And the experts say that the NHS is not set up to help younger victims.

The Alzheimer's Disease Society estimates that as many as 17,000 people in
Britain, under the age of sixty five, have Alzheimer's.

It's a terrifying illness even for those in their 80s - but the tragedy can
be even more poignant for those in their 50s, 40s, and 30s.

Susan Lawson, in her late 50s, could reasonably have expected to be nearing
a long and happy retirement.

However a diagnosis of Alzheimers earlier this year has left her and her
husband Nigel in turmoil.

She'd had trouble for some time with forgetfulness and an inability to
concentrate. At first they thought it was a thyroid problem. But eventually
they discovered the truth.

She said: "Professor Burns told me that he thought I had Alzheimers at
which I burst into tears. And said how long will it be before I go totally
gaga.

"He said there's no reason why why you should go gaga as you call it -
we've got new drugs no and there's optimism".

Sue is no longer able to do many things like cooking and reading.

She cannot remember simple things, like the whether she has put water in
the kettle, or the order of words on the page.

Sue attends one of the few units in the country which offers support to
younger sufferers.

Michelle Murray, the nurse who runs the service says she's seeing more and
more younger patients.

She sees more than one hundred younger patients in Manchester: "We
currently have a lady who's referred to us who's only 56 years old.

"She was a sister on a medical ward only three years ago. We have a
gentleman who's only thirty six. the people we've had in their twenties are
few and far between, we've had two, but that's two too many".

She says because the NHS is really only set up for Alzheimers patients
being over 70 - younger sufferers are not well catered-for.

She says: "There's lots of information about dementia in later life but not
for working age life - and when you're in working age life you need that
support, and so does your family really".

The Alzheimer's Disease Society does not believe the illness is getting
more common among the young - only that doctors are now more aware that it
can affect younger people.

A regular visitor to the Carisbrook Centre is Dr Joe McShane. His wife
Ethna was struck down by the disease more than ten years ago. Once a bright
and confident GP herself - she's now in the long stay ward of the
Withington Hospital in Manchester.

As head of the local branch of the Alzheimer's Disease Society, Dr Mcshane
believes for too long people have shied away from the reality of the illness.

He says on curent estimates many more of us will be diagnosed with a
dementing illness like Alzheimer's in the future, and the NHS and society
in general should be prepared.

He said: "40 or 50 years ago no one ever spoke openly about cancer - now of
course everyone's very aware and because they're aware they realise there
are great needs in this.

"We got to do the same thing. We've not got to keep this under the blanket.
We've got to expose it to the full light of publicity".

Related to this story:
Smoking 'does not prevent Alzheimer's' (20 Apr 00 | Health)
'First real test' for Alzheimer's (20 Jun 00 | Health)
'Eating less may prevent Alzheimer's' (27 Jun 00 | Health)
Scientists uncover Alzheimer's clues (25 Jun 00 | Health)
Keeping active 'wards off Alzheimer's' (04 May 00 | Health)

Internet links:
Alzheimer's Disease Society
US Alzheimer's Site

By BBC Health Correspondent Richard Hannaford
BBC News Online: Health
http://news.bbc.co.uk/low/english/health/newsid_1016000/1016924.stm


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