Researchers have recently discovered a blood test that can detect mild cognitive impairments as well as Alzheimer’s disease up to three years before it is developed. This new blood test locates biomarkers, or biological indicators, that medical professionals can analyze to possibly find signs of future mind diseases. The researchers who discovered the new blood test consider it to be the first step in developing a cure for deterioration of the brain.
“Our novel blood test offers the potential to identify people at risk for progressive cognitive decline and can change how patients, their families and treating physicians plan for and manage the disorder [Alzheimer’s disease],” said study leader Howard J. Federoff, a professor of neurology at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. to Medical News Today.
The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense, resulted in the discovery of 10 biomarkers that show signs of change in the brain cells that lead to Alzheimer’s Disease with 90 percent accuracy. Two of the 10 biomarkers are proven to be associated with the memory-altering disease. To reach this conclusion, the researchers of the study spent five years testing the memory, mental functions and blood samples of 525 patients each over 70 years old. Comparing the blood of healthy patients to blood of those diagnosed with brain diseases, the scientists analyzed the blood to find the unique chemical signatures of molecules. Through this process they found 10 phospholipids that appear in extremely low quantities in the patients who developed either Alzheimer’s or a mild cognitive disease.
“I believe that knowing that you could develop Alzheimer’s disease or a mild cognitive impairment in the near future would definitely be better than being unaware of your condition until it is too late,” said sophomore Tatiana Jae.
This newfound information regarding the discovery of a possible development of a brain impairment or disease is expected to be very beneficial in the prevention of and curing of mental dysfunctions.
