New test for Alzheimer's

The inability to identify 10 everyday smells, from smoke to soap, can be used to predict Alzheimer's disease. The smell test is as effective at diagnosis as a memory test and better than a brain scan. Doctors at Columbia Presbyterian Medical center say scientists have long known that the brain's smell center is hard-hit by Alzheimer's. 

The inability to identify smoke tops the list in the test, followed by menthol, leather, lilac, pineapple, soap, strawberry, natural gas, lemon, and clove. 

Effective ankle replacements

A new study shows that the benefits of surgery to replace the ankle with a prosthesis significantly outweigh any risk involved. 

Presently, people with arthritis in the ankle try wearing special shoes or an ankle brace to immobilize it. If the pain remains severe or movement is restricted, they may turn to fusion surgery which restricts movement even more. 

Doctors at the University of Iowa say replacement, using a device called the Agility Total Ankle System, is effective for many years. At an average of nine years following surgery, more than 90 percent of patients reported they were satisfied with the ankle replacement. The surgery also appears to slow down or reverse arthritis elsewhere. 

The ankle works best in older, less active light-weight people who are less likely to put a lot of physical stress on the joint. 

Artificial spine disc approved

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first artificial spinal disc for use in the U.S. It treats pain associated with degenerative disc disease. Called Charite (shar-ee-TAY), it can replace a damaged intervertebral disc. 

More than 200,000 Americans now undergo spinal fusion every year. Many could use this alternative treatment. Spinal fusion can add pressure to discs surrounding the fused segment, often leading to additional back surgery.