A new blood test can detect an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease up to 14 years before diagnosis, according to researchers from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum and the German Cancer Research Center. The test analyzes blood for abnormal amyloid-beta proteins, which are associated with the formation of plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. The researchers analyzed blood samples from 150 people who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s within 14 years of the sample being taken, and compared them to a control group of 620 people who did not develop the disease. They found that those with higher levels of abnormal amyloid-beta proteins had a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. The researchers hope that the test could be used to identify high-risk individuals before symptoms appear, allowing for earlier intervention with medication.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting around 1.7 million people in Germany alone. There is currently no cure for the disease, which destroys brain cells and leads to memory loss, confusion, and other cognitive impairments. Early detection is crucial, as medication can slow the progression of the disease if administered before symptoms appear. One potential method for early detection is the use of artificial intelligence to analyze brain scans, but the new blood test offers a less invasive and more cost-effective approach.
The researchers caution that further studies are needed before the test can be approved for use by doctors. They plan to verify the test’s reliability with a larger group of participants, and to compare it to other established methods of Alzheimer’s diagnosis, such as analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. However, the potential benefits of the test are significant, as it could allow for earlier intervention and better outcomes for those at risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
