Enhancing Memory Function with Neofect Innovation and Medications That Slow Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is more than just “age-related forgetfulness.” It involves damage to the brain and disruption of nerve cell function caused by abnormal protein buildup. This affects daily life and memory function. Therefore, before memories begin to fade significantly, early evaluation is important as it allows brain training and treatment to begin before symptoms worsen.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain condition that gradually affects memory, thinking, learning, and the ability to organize daily life, caused by abnormal accumulation of proteins — beta-amyloid and tau — in the brain. These proteins disrupt the brain’s structure and interfere with nerve cell function. As the condition progresses, memory, analytical thinking, and decision-making increasingly worsen, gradually impairing everyday life.

How Alzheimer’s Differs from General Dementia

Dementia included of various conditions that interfere with thinking, memory, and reasoning. It can result from various causes, such as stroke, infections, vitamin deficiency, or Parkinson’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the conditions that can lead to dementia. and is the most common type. Everyone with Alzheimer’s has dementia, but not all dementia is due to Alzheimer’s.

MCI: A Warning Stage Before Full-Blown Alzheimer’s

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is considered a phase between typical age-related memory changes and dementia. Common signs include:

• Early memory decline: forgetting recent events, misplacing items, or repeating questions
• Decreased concentration and problem-solving ability: difficulty making simple decisions, managing daily tasks, or communicating as before
• Emotional and behavioral changes: irritability, depression, low motivation, or unfounded suspicious thoughts

These symptoms tend to worsen as brain function declines over time. Without early and appropriate care, MCI may progress to dementia. Therefore, early evaluation is strongly recommended.

How Alzheimer’s Risk is Assessed

Today, several approaches can help determine whether a person is at risk of Alzheimer’s, including:

1. A detailed medical and family history review by a specialist
2. Cognitive testing, such as TMSE (Thai Mental State Examination) or MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), is used to evaluate brain function and severity.
3. Blood examinations are performed to check for non-neurological causes of cognitive changes.
4. CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) analysis to measure amyloid and tau proteins
5. PET scans or other imaging to detect abnormal protein patterns in the brain, which may identify the condition even before noticeable symptoms appear

Early detection, especially at the MCI stage, allows patients to benefit greatly from timely brain training and targeted treatments. This can improve long-term quality of life.

Brain Evaluation and Rehabilitation with Neofect Technology

Neofect is a specialized rehabilitation system designed to support brain function and motor skills, particularly for people with early dementia or Alzheimer’s. One key component is Neofect Cognition, a computer-based program that assesses and trains:

• Short-term and working memory
• Attention and focus
• Executive functions such as planning and problem-solving
• Perceptual-motor skills like hand-eye coordination

Training exercises are presented as interactive “therapy games” that feel engaging and fun, making seniors more willing to participate consistently.

Benefits of Neofect include:

• Clear numeric data that tracks progress before and after training
• Adjustable difficulty levels tailored to each individual
• Integration with professional assessment and therapy for a holistic view of brain function and everyday ability
• Enhanced motivation, as users can see tangible improvements over time

Lecanemab: Medication That May Slow Alzheimer’s Progression

Lecanemab (Leqembi) is an anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody developed to slow cognitive decline in people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s (including MCI due to Alzheimer’s). It works by reducing beta-amyloid buildup in the brain, one of the key pathological factors in Alzheimer’s. Clinical studies show that regular treatment over 18 months may help slow the decline in thinking and memory abilities in patients with early symptoms.

Administration and monitoring:

• Given as IV infusions every two weeks
• Managed under close medical supervision
• A brain MRI is required before starting treatment and periodically afterward.
• Blood tests may be done to assess genetic risk factors, such as the APOE ε4 gene, which can increase the risk of treatment side effects.

Some patients may experience:

• Headaches or dizziness
• Vision problems or confusion
• Serious but rare effects, such as brain swelling or bleeding
• In rare cases, seizures or death, although these are uncommon

Who might not be suitable for Lecanemab?

• Those with no symptoms
• People with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s
• Individuals with a history of brain bleeding
• Patients taking certain blood-thinning medications.
• Those with high-risk medical conditions or APOE ε4 genetic status

Although Alzheimer’s cannot be cured, with early and accurate diagnosis, appropriate evaluation, rehabilitation technology, and tailored treatments, patients can extend meaningful memory function and remain themselves for as long as possible.

If you experience any symptoms, you may schedule an appointment with specialists at Vejthani International Hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How is Alzheimer’s disease different from dementia?

Dementia is a condition in which brain function gradually declines, causing problems with memory and daily activities. It can result from many different causes, such as stroke, infections, or Parkinson’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is one cause of dementia and is the most common type. Everyone with Alzheimer’s disease has dementia, but not everyone with dementia has Alzheimer’s disease.

• What is the MCI stage, and is it a warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease?

MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) is a condition involving a mild decline in cognitive abilities and lies between normal age-related forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s-related dementia. People with MCI often experience difficulties with memory, thinking, concentration, and decision-making. Examples include forgetting recent events, having trouble making simple decisions, or experiencing noticeable mood changes. Without early evaluation and appropriate monitoring, MCI may progress to dementia.

• How can you tell if you are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease can be evaluated using several methods, including:

• Reviewing the patient’s medical history and speaking with family members to identify changes in memory or behavior
• Performing cognitive screening tests such as TMSE or MoCA to assess brain function
• Using blood tests to help rule out other underlying causes of cognitive decline
• Analyzing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to measure amyloid and tau protein levels
• Using brain imaging, such as PET scans, to detect abnormal protein accumulation in the brain

When Alzheimer’s disease is identified at an early stage, such as MCI, it allows for timely planning of brain rehabilitation and the initiation of treatments, including Neofect technology or disease-modifying medications like Lecanemab.

For more information, please contact
Neuroscience Center, Vejthani International Hospital
Call: (+66)2-734-0000 Ext. 5400
English Hotline: (+66)85-223-8888

Medically Reviewed by

DR. DUANGKAMOL SINGWICHA

Neurology

Medical Neurology - Behavioral and Cognitive

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