A recent study shows that a simple blood test measuring key proteins\nassociated with Alzheimer\u2019s can detect the disease decades before\nclinical symptoms emerge. The findings offer new hope for managing\ndementia by identifying risks as early as middle age. Published in The\nLancet, the research indicates that Alzheimer\u2019s markers may be present\nin middle age and linked to measurable cognitive differences. Experts\nstate that blood tests for early brain changes could be a valuable tool\nfor medicine.<\/p>\n
Alzheimer\u2019s occurs when amyloid and tau proteins accumulate\nabnormally in the brain. In this study, researchers measured levels of\ntwo biomarkers\u2014amyloid and p-tau217\u2014in the blood of 1,350 non-demented\nindividuals in the US, with an average age of 61. Analysis found high\nbiomarker levels in 86 patients, associated with worse cognitive\nperformance, faster verbal memory decline, and slower processing speed\nover a five-year testing period.<\/p>\n
A separate Lancet-published study suggests a new brain scanning\nmethod to detect tau protein tangles. Researchers compared the commonly\nused radiotracer Flortaucipir with a new agent, MK6240. In a study of\n682 patients in the US and Canada, MK6240 identified twice as many\npositive tau cases in early brain regions compared to the old method,\nallowing for more precise disease detection before significant brain\ndamage occurs.<\/p>\n
Dr.\u00a0Jacqui Hanley, Chief Research Funding Officer at Alzheimer\u2019s\nResearch UK, welcomed the findings. She said accurate blood tests would\nimprove diagnosis due to being less invasive, scalable, and more\naccessible than expensive PET scans or lumbar punctures.<\/p>\n
The Blood Biomarker Challenge initiative is working to make blood\ntests for dementia diagnosis available in public health services like\nthe UK\u2019s NHS by 2029. However, experts stress the need for further\nresearch on larger and more diverse populations before routine clinical\nuse. Alzheimer\u2019s is the most common form of dementia, accounting for\n60-80% of global cases. Early detection via blood tests could transform\npublic health policy and give patients more time for preventive care.\n(Telegraph\/I-2)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/simple-blood-test-can-detect-alzheimers-decades-before-symptoms-appear-1780077060", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }