At the age of 76, Jane was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory and cognition. However, unlike most individuals with Alzheimer’s, Jane managed to maintain her mental faculties and continue living independently for several years beyond what doctors had predicted.
Researchers from the University College London conducted a study analyzing Jane’s writing samples from before and after her diagnosis. They discovered subtle changes in her language use that suggested the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. These findings highlight the potential value of analyzing creative works as a diagnostic tool for detecting the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s.