Simple pee test could spot the early signs of Alzheimer’s ‘YEARS before symptoms emerge’
Scientists found patients with protein in their urine are much more likely to get the brain-wasting illness later in life.
A SIMPLE urine test could spot the early signs of dementia, a study says.
Scientists found patients with protein in their urine are much more likely to get the brain-wasting illness later in life.
It increases dementia risk by around 35 per cent.
Doctors currently check for protein in urine because it can signal damage to the kidneys from high blood pressure.
Dementia can also be caused by high blood pressure.
The latest research from Maastricht University in The Netherlands suggests protein in urine also points to dementia in years to come.
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia recently emerged as Britain’s biggest killers – claiming more lives a year than heart disease.
But most sufferers only get diagnosed once symptoms have emerged.
A urine test that warns of problems ahead could allow patients to make lifestyle changes to prevent ill-health.
These include eating healthily and taking regular exercise.
Researchers trawled through 22 previous studies – involving 27,000 people - to pool data on kidney problems and dementia.
Their findings, published in the journal Neurology, showed adults with signs of protein in their urine were at sharply increased risk of fading memory later in life.
Researcher Dr Kay Deckers said: “Kidney dysfunction has been considered a possible risk factor for dementia.”
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Dr Doug Brown, from the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “This study suggests people with protein in their urine may develop worse memory, thinking skills or even dementia later in life.
“It could be because kidney damage and dementia share risk factors, like high blood pressure. Or it could be kidney damage affects the brain.
“We need more research in large numbers of people to confirm the link.”
He said patients with kidney damage “shouldn’t be unduly worried”.
Dr Brown added: “Visit your GP if you have any concerns about memory. The best way to reduce dementia risk is to exercise regularly, eat a healthy, balanced diet and avoid smoking.”
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