New blood test can detect Alzheimer’s – dementia diseases such as Alzheimer’s are a scourge of mankind, against which medical science is fighting with fierce bandages. Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have now made a breakthrough: With their new blood test, the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease can be detected in the early stages. It’s good news for early-stage patients.
As “RTL” reports, the experts have published their study results in the journal “Neurology” – results that those affected could be more optimistic about better treatment steps. The test allowed the US experts to determine in their study with 500 participants whether there were two specific substances in the blood of the test subjects: the two amyloid beta proteins Aβ42 and Aβ40.
Crucial role of these two proteins:
According to the report, these substances trigger so-called “amyloid plaques” in the human brain. These deposits are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s. Study leader and neurology professor Randall J. Bateman commented in a press release from his faculty:
“Our study shows that the blood test is a reliable method for detecting amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease, even in patients who have not yet experienced cognitive decline.” In Alzheimer’s patients, proteins accumulate in the form of amyloids plaques off. As they accumulate, they begin to disrupt and disrupt signals between nerve cells.
The consequence:
Disorders of memory, problems with orientation and language impairments can plague those affected. Although amyloid plaques can already be identified in the brain today, this requires expensive or not risk-free methods such as PET scans or cerebrospinal fluid sampling in the lumbar vertebrae. The special thing about the blood test: According to the report, it could be around 500 US dollars (equivalent to around 447 euros) in a much cheaper range.
It is not the only procedure of this kind: Experts from the Ruhr University Bochum have previously succeeded in detecting Alzheimer’s in the blood of supposedly healthy people up to 14 years before the actual onset of the disease. With the method developed by Bateman and his team, people who are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s dementia can be identified more quickly and less expensively, according to the neurologist.
The hope of the scientists:
The cheaper and faster discovery could directly influence the treatment options of those affected: In people in the very early stages of Alzheimer’s dementia, the progression of the disease can be delayed with the help of physical activity and memory exercises. In addition, drugs can be given to slow it down, and the earlier they are started, the better their effect.
Those: rtl.de