New Blood Test May Detect Alzheimer’s Disease Sooner

People who are concerned about the development of Alzheimer’s disease as they age may soon find a new blood test can be used to gauge the likelihood of development. While still far from perfect, the blood test may someday be able to provide those at risk for the disease gain a 20-year window into slowing the development of the disease.

Currently under study by chemists at several universities, the test is designed to pick up the presence of amyloid-beta peptides. These tell-tale proteins are known to form plaque on the brain that is strongly associated with Alzheimer’s disease. In a recent study of about 140 people, the test was able to successfully identify 21 of 28 patients who are believed to have Alzheimer’s disease. It also pinpointed eight out of 11 patients who suffered from mild memory problems due to the disease.

While the test was successful in finding those known to have the disease, it also produced a high number of false positives. This issue, researchers say, will need to be addressed before the test may prove useful in widespread use.

Although still far away from becoming a widely used screening tool, the test offers a strong ray of hope to those concerned about Alzheimer’s disease. Early detection can provide patients with a number of benefits that those living with Alzheimer’s disease now simply were unable to enjoy. While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s at present, early detection can lead to the use of treatments meant to slow the progression. This might someday help buy those likely to develop the disease more time. In addition, when a cure is developed, early detection may prove crucial for employing it before damage is done.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. an estimated one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. This progressive condition is known to kill more people than breast and prostate cancer combined and costs the country more than $236 billion to treat each year.

Researchers have developed a variety of treatments to help slow progression, but none have been able to stop the disease entirely to date. As work in the cure arena continues across the globe, tools to more readily detect the disease are in high demand. Whether the new blood test can be streamlined to lower the false positive rate or not remains to be seen. The advancement, however, is a major step in the right direction, experts say.

The Cottages have been operating in Texas since 1997 and are family owned and operated by The Cottages Senior Living.