have developed a blood test as an easier way of detecting Alzheimer's
disease to make it possible for people to know about the disease early
on and begin helpful therapies.
“This research
uses a novel technology that makes it possible to analyze several
biomarkers in a single blood sample in a cost-effective way,” said Dr.
Ramón Díaz-Arrastia, professor of neurology at UT Southwestern and
senior author of the study which was published in the September issue of
the Archives of Neurology.
A
set of proteins found in blood serum shows promise as a sensitive and
accurate way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, researchers at UT
Southwestern Medical Center have found as part of a statewide study.
An
analysis of the proteins, plus a clinical exam, proved 94 percent
accurate in detecting suspected Alzheimer’s and 84 percent accurate in
ruling it out in people without the disease, the researchers said.
analysis of the proteins, plus a clinical exam, proved 94 percent
accurate in detecting suspected Alzheimer’s and 84 percent accurate in
ruling it out in people without the disease, the researchers said.
Researchers
have been seeking a simple blood test for Alzheimer’s for years, Dr.
Díaz-Arrastia said, but no single substance, or “biomarker,” has been
shown to be useful. Such a test, he said, would be comparable in
principle to measuring blood cholesterol as a biomarker of
cardiovascular disease.
have been seeking a simple blood test for Alzheimer’s for years, Dr.
Díaz-Arrastia said, but no single substance, or “biomarker,” has been
shown to be useful. Such a test, he said, would be comparable in
principle to measuring blood cholesterol as a biomarker of
cardiovascular disease.
Alzheimer’s
disease is an incurable degenerative brain disease, which currently
afflicts about 5.3 million people over 65 in the U.S., according to the
National Alzheimer’s Association. By 2050 that number is expected to
reach 11 million or more.
disease is an incurable degenerative brain disease, which currently
afflicts about 5.3 million people over 65 in the U.S., according to the
National Alzheimer’s Association. By 2050 that number is expected to
reach 11 million or more.
The
disease is difficult to diagnose, particularly in its early stages when
it resembles other cognitive problems. Currently, a definitive
diagnosis is possible only after examining the brain tissue of deceased
individuals. Tests for suspected Alzheimer’s are often expensive or
invasive, and not every patient is able or willing to undergo them, the
researchers stated.
disease is difficult to diagnose, particularly in its early stages when
it resembles other cognitive problems. Currently, a definitive
diagnosis is possible only after examining the brain tissue of deceased
individuals. Tests for suspected Alzheimer’s are often expensive or
invasive, and not every patient is able or willing to undergo them, the
researchers stated.
A
blood test would provide a convenient diagnostic method that could be
performed by health care workers nearly anywhere. In addition, a
definitive diagnosis is important because treatments specifically
targeting Alzheimer’s might not be effective against other forms of
neurodegenerative disease or cognitive decline, Dr. Díaz-Arrastia said.
blood test would provide a convenient diagnostic method that could be
performed by health care workers nearly anywhere. In addition, a
definitive diagnosis is important because treatments specifically
targeting Alzheimer’s might not be effective against other forms of
neurodegenerative disease or cognitive decline, Dr. Díaz-Arrastia said.
Researchers
associated with the Texas Alzheimer’s Research Consortium, a
five-university group funded by the state, carried out the research. In
the current study, the scientists analyzed blood samples from 197 Texas
patients who had suspected Alzheimer’s and 203 people without the
disease.
associated with the Texas Alzheimer’s Research Consortium, a
five-university group funded by the state, carried out the research. In
the current study, the scientists analyzed blood samples from 197 Texas
patients who had suspected Alzheimer’s and 203 people without the
disease.
The
researchers measured more than 100 blood proteins and created a
mathematical analysis that could measure a person’s risk of having
Alzheimer’s. The analysis, combined with information from a clinical
exam, accurately detected Alzheimer’s 94 percent of the time, and
correctly ruled out Alzheimer’s 84 percent of the time in people without
the disease, Dr. Díaz-Arrastia said.
researchers measured more than 100 blood proteins and created a
mathematical analysis that could measure a person’s risk of having
Alzheimer’s. The analysis, combined with information from a clinical
exam, accurately detected Alzheimer’s 94 percent of the time, and
correctly ruled out Alzheimer’s 84 percent of the time in people without
the disease, Dr. Díaz-Arrastia said.
Neither
the blood test nor a clinical exam alone was as accurate on its own as
the blood test and clinical exam combined, the researchers found.
the blood test nor a clinical exam alone was as accurate on its own as
the blood test and clinical exam combined, the researchers found.
“Having
a diagnosis is an important step, but it’s not the end of the road
unless you’ve got a treatment or a cure,” Dr. Díaz-Arrastia said.
a diagnosis is an important step, but it’s not the end of the road
unless you’ve got a treatment or a cure,” Dr. Díaz-Arrastia said.
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