What LANS syndrome is and how it affects memory



Mayo Clinic researchers have taken an important step toward understanding a form of memory loss that primarily affects the limbic system in older adults. This brain region is involved in memory, emotions, and learning.

The disorder is known as LANS, an acronym for limbic-predominant amnestic neurodegenerative syndrome. For a long time, the brain changes associated with this condition could only be confirmed by examining tissue after death. The new clinical criteria now make it possible to estimate the likelihood of LANS while the person is still alive.

This breakthrough may provide more accurate answers for patients and their families. LANS shares some symptoms with Alzheimer’s disease, especially frequent forgetfulness. However, they are not exactly the same.

In many cases, LANS progresses more slowly and mainly affects memory. Alzheimer’s, by contrast, may also impair language, orientation, attention, and other cognitive abilities. This difference helps better anticipate each patient’s progression, although both diseases can coexist.

How LANS syndrome is diagnosed



The criteria were published in the scientific journal Brain Communications. To develop them, the researchers analyzed clinical and brain data from more than 200 participants across different studies.

The assessment considers several factors: age, the severity and progression of memory problems, the status of other cognitive functions, and certain patterns seen in brain imaging studies. Biomarkers may also be used to look for signs consistent with Alzheimer’s or other diseases.

Neurologist David T. Jones, one of the study’s authors, emphasized that these criteria make it possible to identify patients whose symptoms may not be primarily explained by Alzheimer’s disease. In the past, it was common to almost immediately associate an 80-year-old person’s memory problems with that disease. There is now an opportunity to carry out a more specific assessment.

This does not mean that every everyday lapse in memory is a sign of LANS. Misplacing your keys from time to time, forgetting a name and remembering it later, or walking into a room without knowing what you were going to get can happen because of fatigue, stress, lack of sleep, or distraction. If forgetfulness becomes recurrent, interferes with usual tasks, or is accompanied by disorientation, it is advisable to consult a professional.

To support this ability in daily life, it may also help to learn some techniques for organizing information and remembering names. These resources do not replace a medical assessment, but they can make everyday activities easier.

What is the relationship between LANS and the TDP-43 protein?



One of the key features of the syndrome is the TDP-43 protein. When it becomes altered and accumulates in certain areas of the limbic system, it may be linked to neuronal damage and memory problems. This protein is also associated with a brain disease called LATE, which is common at advanced ages.

Researcher Nick Corriveau-Lecavalier explained that LANS symptoms may resemble those of Alzheimer’s, but their clinical progression is usually different. While Alzheimer’s can spread to different areas of thinking, in LANS, decline tends to remain more concentrated in memory for an extended period.

For now, there is no simple and definitive test that can independently detect TDP-43 accumulation in a living person. Diagnosis relies on a combination of medical history, cognitive tests, imaging, and other indicators. That is why the new criteria serve as a guide for estimating probabilities, rather than as a single infallible test.

What changes for patients and their families



Having clearer criteria can prevent inaccurate diagnoses and help families better understand what is happening. It also makes it possible to discuss independence, future care, and the likely pace of changes more realistically.

The distinction is especially important when choosing treatments or clinical trials. Drugs aimed at amyloid deposits are designed for certain patients with Alzheimer’s and do not constitute a specific treatment for LANS. If both conditions occur together, the medical team will need to assess the options individually.

More research is still needed to find specific biomarkers and treatments targeting TDP-43. Meanwhile, doctors can address factors that influence brain health, such as sleep, physical activity, blood pressure, hearing, and social life. To learn more, you can consult this guide to habits and nutrition for caring for the brain.

Receiving a memory-related diagnosis can bring fear and uncertainty. But knowing the likely cause more precisely can also reduce doubts and make it possible to make decisions in time. Not all memory problems progress in the same way, and that is one of the most valuable lessons from this finding.

If you notice persistent changes in yourself or someone close to you, avoid jumping to conclusions. Write down when they began, in what situations they appear, and how they affect daily life. This information can be very useful during an appointment with neurology, geriatrics, or neuropsychology. Seeking guidance early does not mean assuming the worst: it means caring for memory with attention and respect.