A simple blood test can not only predict a person’s risk of developing the disease; alzheimer’s diseasebut also the year when symptoms begin.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis set out to determine whether levels of certain proteins in the blood could be used as a “biological clock” to predict when signs of disease will appear.
A specific protein known as p-tau217 forms “tangles” in the brain, disrupting communication between nerve cells. In a healthy brain, tau helps stabilize brain structure. nerve cells.
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In some cases, brain scan It can be used to detect these tangles when diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. Preliminary research suggests that the same method can be used to determine progression schedules.
These imaging tests are often complex and expensive, so the researchers wanted to see if blood tests could monitor the same proteins and produce similar results.
The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, analyzed more than 600 pieces of data. senior citizen Participates in two long-term Alzheimer’s disease research projects.
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By comparing blood samples and participants’ cognitive performance over several years, the team found that p-tau217 levels rose in a “remarkably consistent” pattern long before memory loss began, according to a press release.
The team then created a model that used the patient’s age and protein levels to estimate when symptoms would appear, with a margin of error of three to four years.
“We showed that a single blood test that measures p-tau217 can provide a rough estimate of when an individual is likely to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease,” lead author Dr. Keren K. Petersen, a lecturer in neurology at Washington University in St. Louis, told FOX News Digital.
Researchers found that older people Symptoms developed Once p-tau217 becomes abnormal, it changes even more rapidly, he noted.
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“For example, people who first showed abnormal p-tau 217 levels around age 60 did not develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease for about 20 years, whereas people who first showed abnormal p-tau 217 levels around age 80 developed symptoms only about 10 years later,” Petersen said.
This suggests that age- and disease-related changes in the brain may influence how quickly Alzheimer’s disease symptoms appear, the researchers concluded.
“This could change the way researchers design clinical trials and ultimately the way clinicians identify people at highest risk of disease. Decline in cognitive function “Alzheimer’s disease is associated with decline years before it begins,” Dr. Rebecca M. Edelmeyer, Chicago-based vice president of scientific engagement for the Alzheimer’s Association, told FOX News Digital.
“Blood tests are generally much cheaper and easier to perform than brain scans or spinal fluid tests. In the future, they could help doctors and researchers identify people who may benefit from blood tests. early treatment” added Edelmeyer, who was not involved in the study.
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This study had several limitations and caveats.
“We were only able to predict for individuals whose p-tau217 levels were within a certain range, although it was a fairly wide range,” Petersen said. “The model was developed in relatively healthy Additionally, the well-educated population of researchers lacks diversity, so the results may not translate well to the broader population. ”
Researchers mention at-home blood tests; In this studythey warned people not to seek out and take these tests on their own.
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“At this time, we do not recommend that people who do not have cognitive impairment undergo any form of impairment. alzheimer’s disease “Biomarker testing,” study co-author Dr. Suzanne Schindler, a neurologist at the University of Washington, said in a press release.
Peterson acknowledged that these results are still experimental and there is room for improvement.
“Current estimates are still not accurate enough. clinical use “You can still make personal medical decisions, but we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to create a more accurate model,” he told FOX News Digital.
Looking forward, Schindler said the research team hopes to improve the test and narrow the margin of error by studying other Alzheimer’s disease-related proteins. More diverse participants are also needed to see results.
Two large clinical trials are currently underway aimed at determining whether people with high levels of this protein can benefit from treatment with one of the two. Alzheimer’s disease treatment before symptoms appear.
Lecanemab and donanemab are the only approved drugs designed to reduce the levels of plaques in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers hope that early treatment may increase the effectiveness of the drug.
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“There are many other blood and imaging biomarkers as well as cognitive tests that can be combined with plasma p-tau217 to improve the accuracy of predicting the onset of symptoms,” Petersen said. “We hope this research will lead to even better models that can help individuals.”
