Study: Growth Hormone Levels Can Help in Early Alzheimer's Detection

A new finding that low levels of growth hormone signal the onset of Alzheimer's disease well in advance of any memory loss could give physicians the ability to detect and treat Alzheimer's far earlier than ever before.

At a neuroscience conference September 18 in Houston, researcher Dr. Eric Braverman said growth hormone levels could be as valuable in foreshadowing Alzheimer's disease as high blood high blood pressure and high cholesterol currently are for heart disease.

"Through targeted interventions -- including drugs, natural hormones, nutrition and diet -- we can reverse the onset of disease, but the results are far better early on, before the condition progresses. That's why early detection is critical," Braverman said.

The cornerstone of Braverman's finding about the value of growth hormone levels is new technology that allows people's brain to be mapped and measured for speed. His study involved 1,500 patients, including 656 who also received memory tests and 460 who had their growth hormone levels measured.

Other sources: Path Medical