Scientists have identified a test that predicts the risk of dementia in women up to 25 years in advance. Experts believe this discovery represents one of the new ways to catch the disease before other warning signs appear. The research team found that the blood test could identify the likelihood of developing cognitive problems and dementia. They discovered that high levels of a protein called p-tau217, which is related to changes in the brain typical of Alzheimer’s disease, serves as an accurate indicator of future risk, reports .
British experts have said that the development of blood tests for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease is progressing at a tremendous pace. A team from the University of California, San Diego examined data from 2,766 women. They were part of a large-scale American study in which women between the ages of 65 and 79 entered in the late 1990s. Scientists then followed them for up to 25 years. At the start of the study, none of the women showed signs of cognitive impairment.
The experts analyzed blood samples taken at baseline and again after several years to measure the level of p-tau217. During the 25-year follow-up, the researchers recorded which women developed problems with memory or thinking, including dementia. Women who had higher levels of p-tau217 in their blood at the start of the study faced a much higher risk of developing dementia later in life. The more of this biomarker the blood contained, the higher the risk.
“Our study suggests that we can identify women at increased risk of dementia decades before symptoms appear,” he stated Dr. Aladdin Shadyab, lead author of the study. “Such a long lead time opens the door to earlier prevention strategies and more targeted monitoring, rather than waiting until memory problems start to affect daily life.” he added.
The team also found that the risk is not the same for everyone. Test results varied depending on women’s age, ethnicity, use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and genetic factors. According to the scientists, all these areas require further detailed research.
“Blood tests could fundamentally change the way dementia is diagnosed. Our funded research aims to make a blood test for symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease widely available within the NHS within the next few years,” said Alzheimer’s Society UK chief executive Michelle Dyson.Women are affected by dementia twice as often, but we still do not understand exactly why. This study adds to a growing body of research investigating whether biomarkers in the blood could identify people at risk decades before the onset of the disease,” added Dr Sheona Scales.
