Scientists have devised a blood test that can detect the possibility of dementia 5 years before the appearance of the warning signs, and scientists at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases have identified three biomarkers in the blood that may serve as a warning sign that someone may develop dementia, according to the website of the newspaper “Daily Mail” ” British.
Testing for dementia can help doctors detect the disease early, which can slow the onset of the condition and delay its symptoms. with dementia in the UK, and 6.2 million people in the US have this condition.
The researchers gave cognitive tests to 132 people between the ages of 18 and 77 and took blood samples to analyze levels of microRNA, small proteins involved in regulating cells.
The results showed that more than 90% of patients who developed dementia in the two years following the analysis had elevated levels of three components in the blood, namely: miR-181a-5p, miR-148a-3p and miR-146a-5p.
These elements are involved in regulating inflammation in the brain, and help control how brain cells communicate with each other, and scientists said they are now working on a blood test to detect them, and that it could provide early warning for dementia patients.
The study, which was published in the journal ., also looked at EMBO Molecular MedicineThe possibility of using microRNA levels in mice to detect dementia early.
In mice, which can live for up to three years, early signs can be detected from only 16 months of age. microRNAs Every month and a half.
The results showed that there could be seven microRNAs raised among the mice that developed dementia.
“When symptoms of dementia appear, the brain has been significantly damaged, we need tests that respond optimally before dementia appears and reliably estimate the risk of disease later. In other words, tests that give early warning,” said lead author Professor Andre Fischer.
“We see an increase in the blood level of these three microparticles as a precursor of dementia and this indicates a development that takes about two to five years in the future,” he added.
Scientists have confirmed that one Alzheimer’s disease test can detect the disease decades before symptoms appear, by measuring levels of a protein that clumps abnormally in the brain of patients, and another looks for two proteins in the blood as indicators of a person’s risk of developing this condition.
Dr James Connell, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘This is very early stage research and the approach will need to be tested a lot more before we know if it holds real potential to help diagnose or treat Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Future treatment and prevention of dementia is likely to be more effective if we can identify people who could benefit early, ideally before devastating symptoms such as memory loss begin to affect their lives.
“A cheap, direct, and reliable blood test is a major goal for researchers working to improve the diagnosis of dementia.”
There are many factors that influence the onset of dementia including age, health status and lifestyle, so an increased risk does not mean that a person will definitely develop dementia.
However, early warning of increased risks can prevent or delay the onset of dementia by allowing people to seek treatment for any health problems, including high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, as well as by helping them adjust their lifestyle by exercising regularly and eating healthy. . Currently, dementia is diagnosed using cognitive tests and, in some cases, brain scans.
