Exciting breakthrough as simple test pinpoints dementia in 9 patients out of 10
A NEW test could prove if a patient has dementia almost nine times out of 10, a study claims.
A technique which creates electrical currents that stimulate nerve cells could lead to quick, painless diagnosis, scientists believe.
They say it is possible to determine whether someone has the brain condition – or are perfectly healthy – with at least 86 per cent accuracy.
The breakthrough – hailed as “very exciting” – came after tests on more than 170 people using a process called transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS.
The technique uses a large electromagnetic coil placed on the head, letting experts see if brain circuits could be damaged.
Researchers found TMS could detect changes in particular circuits that differed between having different types of dementia or not at all.
They were able to distinguish frontotemporal dementia from Alzheimer’s disease with 90 per cent accuracy. They could also tell Alzheimer’s from healthy brains in 87 per cent of cases and frontotemporal dementia from healthy brains in 86 per cent.
The Italy-based experts claimed the results were comparable to PET brain scans or spinal fluid testing through lumbar punctures. Prof Barbara Borroni, of the University of Brescia, said: “Current methods can be expensive brain scans or invasive lumbar punctures involving a needle inserted in the spine. We may be able to make the diagnosis easily with this non-invasive procedure.”
The findings, published in the journal Neurology, were welcomed by British experts.
Dr Laura Phipps, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “An accurate and timely diagnosis can be very beneficial in accessing treatment.”
Dr Clare Walton of the Alzheimer’s Society said: “Dementia can be caused by several different diseases but the symptoms often overlap. It is vital people receive a correct diagnosis.”