‘Silent Phase’ of Alzheimer’s Begins Decades Before Symptoms, NIH Study Suggests

The disease progresses in two distinct phases, with brain changes beginning up to 20 years before symptoms appear.

Courtesy of The Allen Institute, Seattle

Recent advancements in Alzheimer’s disease research show a promising shift in the understanding of the memory-robbing disorder, suggesting that crucial brain changes can occur decades before symptoms manifest.

​A recent study has identified a two-phase progression of Alzheimer’s, highlighting a silent phase marked by subtle brain changes long before cognitive decline becomes apparent.​