Prediction of an incurable disease could become more a curse than a help. As of now, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease comes when there is already a significant amount of brain damage. New technologies are moving toward an early prediction of the so-far incurable condition.
In the future, doctors may be able to test a patient’s sense of smell as an indicator of developing Alzheimer’s. People who are unable to identify between certain odors are more likely experiencing cognitive dysfunction. Early stages of dementia, and possibly Alzheimer’s, are believed to be when the brain cells for sense of smell are destroyed.
Another more reliable method to predict the possibility of Alzheimer’s disease is through the use of blood tests. Research performed in Georgetown University Medical Center found that seniors with low levels of 10 specific lipids in their blood were predicted to get Alzheimer’s or other cognitive impairment with up to 90 percent accuracy.
On the bright side, finding this disease earlier on could help to slow down the symptoms and eventually find a cure, On the other hand, many people really would not want to find out that they had an incurable disease. Some see the knowledge as a curse or something hanging over their head as they wait for death and others are more than grateful for the knowledge to prepare. I guess it all depends on the person and the severity of the situation.
See full article at cnn.com
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