Alzheimer’s disease has been a problem for many people since it leads to progressive memory loss and a degeneration of other essential mental abilities. Without early management, the disease can lead to dementia. Several tests have been put forward to try and detect this disease at its earliest stages.
However, the good news is that a novel and direct blood test could now offer better results as it can detect Alzheimer’s disease’s early symptoms. According to the researchers, despite detecting Alzheimer’s, the new blood test could also show other brain damage conditions such as multiple sclerosis and stroke.
The functioning of Alzheimer’s blood test
The test works in such a way that it detects conditions through the identification of neurofilament light chains (“LFC”). These are kinds of structural proteins that normally make up the internal neuron skeleton. The proteins leak into the cerebrospinal fluid circulating in the spinal cord and the brain, and leaks into the bloodstream when it is damaged. High levels of this protein in the blood always indicates there is a problem in the body. Furthermore, that also indicates that the spinal tap is not needed.
The trial of the novel blood test was conducted on a population of 400 individuals to try and find out the root cause of Alzheimer’s condition. The number included 247 individuals who had damaged genes suspected to cause Alzheimer’s. The individuals with the faulty genes also showed continuous rising levels of LFC. The study showed that the chances of affected individuals passing these conditions to their children were 50%.
Additionally, the test also indicated that Alzheimer’s could be detected 16 years earlier before it shows its first signs and symptoms. This could be a boost as it could enable physicians to focus on new treatments that could alter the onset of the disease in those with high LFC levels. The researchers also added that it could also be easy to incorperate testing of these diseases into the screening test in a neurology clinic.
The screening test was validated on people with Alzheimer’s condition because their brains undergo a lot of neurodegeneration. However, the screening test does not give specific signs and symptoms for this condition. Furthermore, high levels of LFC do not necessarily mean that you have Alzheimer’s disease, it could be a symptom that you are suffering from other different neurological ailments and injuries.
As biomed companies like DarioHealth Corp. (NASDAQ: DRIO) always say, lots of time and effort is needed during clinical trials before a test can be relied upon to give results upon which treatment decisions are made.
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