New research: Alzheimer's can be detected before symptoms begin

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

According to a new study published in Nature Aging, it is considered that Alzheimer's disease can be detected in advance.

The research was not initially intended to develop a method for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's. However, it was concluded that the findings obtained in the study could be used to detect Alzheimer's in stages before symptoms begin. 

According to the study, in which 1,500 blood proteins were analyzed, it is predicted that blood tests to be developed through the protein data obtained could enable the detection of the disease up to 15 years before the onset of symptoms.

DATA OF 50,000 PEOPLE ANALYZED

In the study, researchers analyzed data from 50,000 healthy adults obtained from the UK Biobank over 15 years.

Of the 50,000 people, 1,417 developed Alzheimer's disease within 14 years after the study began.

In the research, it was noticed that high levels of four proteins (GFAP, NFL, GDF15, and LTBP2) in the blood were strongly associated with Alzheimer's. 

In a statement featured in the UK Science Media Centre, neuroscientist Amanda Heslegrave said, “If we want to intervene in the course of the disease by diagnosing Alzheimer's early, we need studies like this.” 

According to the WHO, there are currently more than 55 million people in the world who have contracted Alzheimer's disease.

An Alzheimer's diagnosis is usually made after memory problems or similar symptoms begin to appear. Jian-Feng Feng, one of the authors of the published article, says in his statement to Nature, “By the time we make a diagnosis, it is too late.” 

Following the study, it was announced that individuals who will develop Alzheimer's could be detected with 90% accuracy through the analysis of proteins in their blood.

News Source: 12punto