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The fear of developing dementia is a common worry for those who have watched their loved ones suffer from the disease. Sally Magnusson is one such person. Her mother passed away from dementia in 2012, and Magnusson has been haunted by the possibility of developing it ever since. She has made a documentary film exploring the options available to people like her, who are in their fifties and sixties and have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. Magnusson has been investigating a simple blood test, along with further diagnostic tests, to detect the presence of amyloid, a protein that is linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Magnusson’s mother, Mamie Baird, was a popular journalist who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease. Magnusson has written a memoir, Where Memories Go, that describes the torment of watching a loved one slip away. Over time, it has become clear that dementia is not an inevitable part of the ageing process. It is an illness caused by a range of brain conditions. Magnusson is now advocating for the use of diagnostic tests, to identify if people in their fifties and sixties are living with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The aim is to catch the disease early, and prevent it from progressing into dementia.
The good news is that scientists have discovered that the build-up of amyloid in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients can be successfully cleared. Researchers are offering drugs to people before they display the symptoms of the disease, while encouraging more people to participate in clinical trials. While treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are still being developed, Magnusson is positive that the situation has improved significantly since her mother passed away nine years ago. As we await faster diagnosis and better treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, scientists need non-symptomatic volunteers to participate in clinical trials. This is the only way to develop effective prevention measures for those most at risk.
Magnusson has discussed the possibility of taking a blood test with her family, and while some are supportive, others are still traumatised by her mother’s death. Magnusson’s daughter was visibly upset on hearing the news, while her four sons were supportive of their mother. Despite the difficult decision ahead, Magnusson feels positive, believing that she has a unique opportunity to contribute to the betterment of Alzheimer’s research. Her documentary, Sally Magnusson: Alzheimer’s, a Cure and Me, explores the dilemmas and decisions faced by people like her
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