<
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/alzheimers-diagnosis-treatment-blood-test-b2482854.html>
"A simple blood test can detect Alzheimer’s up to 15 years before symptoms
emerge, with experts claiming it could “revolutionise” early diagnosis of the
disease.
Swedish trials found the test to be as accurate at detecting the signs of
Alzheimer’s as painful lumbar punctures, and better than a range of other tests
currently being worked on.
Experts say it could pave the way for a national screening programme for the
over-50s, and that current treatments could work better with the cases picked
up earlier.
The test works by measuring levels of a protein called p-tau217 in the blood
that indicate biological changes taking place in the brain during Alzheimer’s
disease.
It could identify patients as likely, intermediate or unlikely to have
Alzheimer’s disease and potentially rule out the need for further, more
invasive investigations.
Prof David Curtis, honorary professor, UCL Genetics Institute, University
College London, said: “Everybody over 50 could be routinely screened every few
years, in much the same way as they are now screened for high cholesterol.
“It is possible that currently available treatments for Alzheimer’s disease
would work better in those diagnosed early in this way. However, I think the
real hope is that better treatments can also be developed.
“The combination of a simple screening test with an effective treatment for
Alzheimer’s disease would have a dramatic impact for individuals and for
society.”
The test is made by company ALZpath and is already commercially available."
Via
Future Crunch:
<
https://futurecrunch.com/good-news-obamacare-ocean-conservation-ireland-pandas/>
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
