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Brain health

Can you have Alzheimer's without symptoms?

Ask the doctor

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
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A model of a human brain with eyeglasses on it rests on top of a stack of hard cover books.I've heard that many older adults have signs of Alzheimer's disease in their brains but don't seem to have cognitive problems. What might explain that?

It may be that some people with these brain deposits but no noticeable cognitive problems simply aren't showing symptoms yet. That's because amyloid can accumulate in the brain for up to two decades before memory loss becomes apparent.

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About the Author

photo of Maureen Salamon

Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch

Maureen Salamon is the executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch. She also writes for the Harvard Health Letter, Harvard Heart Letter, and Harvard Men’s Health Watch, as well as for Harvard Health Publishing’s flagship website. … See Full Bio
View all posts by Maureen Salamon

About the Reviewer

photo of Hyun-Sik Yang, MD

Hyun-Sik Yang, MD, Contributor

Dr. Hyun-Sik Yang is an assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and a board-certified neurologist at Mass General Brigham (MGB). Dr. Yang graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine (South Korea) and finished … See Full Bio
View all posts by Hyun-Sik Yang, MD
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