At the Washington University School of Medicine, researchers have developed a new blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s in the early stages.
St. Louis (USA) – Cheaper, easier and safer medicine: At the Washington University School of Medicine, researchers have developed a new blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s in the early stages – sometimes even before symptoms become noticeable. This breakthrough raises hopes for better treatment options.
A new blood test might make it much easier to detect Alzheimer’s at an early stage. © andreypopov/123RF
The study results in the Journal Neurology were published show that the blood test might identify with a high degree of accuracy whether a test subject was a risk patient for Alzheimer was or was in the early stages of the disease.
With the new test, the US researchers were able to determine whether the two amyloid beta proteins Aβ42 and Aβ40 were in the blood of the 500 subjects.
The amyloid beta proteins cause deposits in the brain, so-called “amyloid plaques”, which are a main hallmark of Alzheimer’s.
These deposits interfere with the way nerve cells in the brain communicate, which can lead to problems with speech, memory recall, and the sense of direction.
“Our study shows that the blood test provides a reliable method for detecting amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease, even in patients who are not yet experiencing cognitive decline,” said Randall J. Bateman, MD, professor of neurology in one statement from the university.
Currently, amyloid plaques are detected using expensive or risky procedures, such as removing cerebrospinal fluid from the lower spine or PET scans.
Blood testing might be a safer and cheaper alternative for early detection of Alzheimer’s. (Iconic image) © Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa
According to Bateman, the simpler test means that patients at risk and people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s dementia can be identified more quickly and cost-effectively.
researcher hope that early diagnosis might lead to better treatment steps for those affected.
Alzheimer’s cannot be cured at the moment, but it can be slowed down in the beginning. Treatment options in the early stages include memory training and exercise.
Even drugs that are used to delay the course of the disease work better the earlier a patient starts taking them.
