Blood test to spot onset of Alzheimer’s

A BLOOD test could present the first quick and simple way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have found a way to detect a hard-tospot protein in the blood, known as tau, that can cause dementia. An antibody is used as a magnifier to light up the tau. The test could replace invasive “spinal tap” – and make it quicker to find out if treatments are working. Prof David Holtzman, of Washington University, St Louis, said: “It provides insight into the status of tau in fluid surrounding cells in brain.” Tau is a normal protein involved in maintaining the shape of brain cells. But when it forms “tangles” it can kill nearby neurons, causing memory loss, confusion and aggression.

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