Test to detect early stage Alzheimer’s could soon be available after successful US trial
Scientists say inexpensive blood test means they can 'treat patients before they showed major symptoms'
A BREAKTHROUGH blood test to detect Alzheimer’s in its earliest stages could soon be available.
It identifies markers which help tell whether someone with memory problems is developing dementia, another disease or just suffering from old age.
Quick detection means patients can get treatment to delay their symptoms, apply for drug trials or allow time to organise their future care.
Dr Laura Phipps, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We know that Alzheimer’s starts long before symptoms appear, and the ability to detect the disease early could be critical for research.”
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Scientists have struggled to identify between normal ageing, mild cognitive impairment and dementia but the US trial of 236 patients proved 100 per cent accurate.
It also identified how advanced the disease was — meaning doctors could use it to treat patients accordingly before they showed major symptoms.
Cassandra DeMarshall, of Rowan University, New Jersey, said: “These findings could lead to the development of a simple, inexpensive and relatively non-invasive way to diagnose this devastating disease in its earliest stages.”
Dr James Pickett, of the Alzheimer’s Society, advised caution. He said: “It’s really important that we find ways to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease as early as possible.
“Although this test is certainly interesting, it would need to be replicated in a much larger and more diverse group of people to understand how reliable it is.”
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