Quick prick may detect Alzheimer symptoms
SIGNS COULD BE FOUND EARLY
A BLOOD test could identify the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia 10 years before symptoms develop.
Levels of a protein present in the blood are significantly lower in people who go on to develop mild cognitive impairment, a disorder that often leads to dementia, scientists have discovered.
Researchers took samples from 100 sets of twins, then followed their progress over 10 years. As levels of the protein declined, so did their mental abilities.
Although there is currently no medication to treat or prevent dementia, researchers are hopeful that one day there will be, and an early test could allow it to halt the condition in its tracks.
Current evidence also suggests that exercise, eating healthily and stimulating the brain can help pre- vent the onset of dementia.
“What we do know is that prevention of the disease is likely to be more effective than trying to reverse it,” says Dr Steven Kiddle of the Medical Research Council ’ s Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre at King ’ s College London, who was the lead author.
“The next step will be to replicate our finding in an independent study, and to confirm whether or not it is specific for Alzheimer ’ s disease, as this could lead to the development of a reliable blood test which would help clinicians identify suitable people for prevention trials.”
The study, the largest of its kind to date, measured more than 1 000 proteins in the blood to find which were most effective in predicting the onset of mental difficulties.
A protein called MAPKAPK5 was lower in individuals whose cognitive ability declined over the period.
Dr Claire Steves, also of King ’ s College London and a co-author of the study, added: “We ’ re very optimistic that our research has the potential to benefit the lives of those who don ’ t currently have symptoms of Alzheimer ’ s, but are at risk of developing the disease.”
Around 850 000 people are afflicted with dementia in Britain, with most suffering from Alzheimer ’ s disease.
Dr Eric Karran, director of research at Alzheimer ’ s Research UK, says: “Accurate and early diagnosis will be essential for the development of new treatments.”
The study was published in the journal Translational Psychiatry.