A test to detect those likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms appear may be around the corner, after Swedish scientists announced the findings last week of a ten year study.
The research project found changes in spinal fluid can predict dementia ten years before symptoms occur with 90 per cent accuracy.
The study explored how those who already had mild thinking difficulties and low levels of a beta-amyloid protein in their cerebro-spinal fluid at the start of the study, were much more likely to progress to Alzheimer’s by the end.
The findings, published last week in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry are the most promising sign yet that an accurate test might become available.
Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, which accounts for up to 70 per cent of cases, is currently diagnosed only after patients become demented.
While the ability to detect the disease earlier would at present be of limited use, as doctors have few effective treatments, the study’s authors say that this is expected to change in coming years.
As treatments are likely to have the greatest benefit in the earliest stages of the disease, before symptoms became severe, a test that could identify those likely to be affected will be of huge benefit.
The study’s authors working at universities in Malmo and Gothenburg said the research suggested about 90 per cent of patients who had both mild cognitive impairment and the tell-tale changes in spinal fluid composition would develop Alzheimer’s within 9.2 years.
“Therefore, these markers can identify individuals at high risk of Alzheimer’s disease at least five to 10 years before conversion to dementia,” they wrote.
“Hopefully, new therapies that can retard or even halt progression of the disease will soon be available. Together with an early and accurate diagnosis, such therapies could be initiated before neuronal degeneration is too widespread and patients are already demented.”