Early Diagnosis Of Dementia Is Possible Using An Easier And Cheaper Examination

Dementia symptoms at its latter stages may include grappling with memory problems, having trouble concentrating and planning, mobility issues, and having some behavioral changes. The degenerative ailment is considered as life-changing, though early diagnosis allows the possibility of getting the best treatment and care. This is because a dementia patient can make vital decisions about how he or she wishes to be cared for before the condition gets worse.

While diagnosing dementia is a struggle for most doctors at the moment, a recent study has shown it can be detected early. In fact, patients struggling with memory issues could be examined for Alzheimer’s disease by having a simple blood test at their doctors' office.

A New Way of Checking

Researchers in the United States have been able to measure blood levels of phosphorylated tau 181 or pTau181, one of the proteins found in the brain. This protein accumulates in tangles in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s. Scientists found it was three and a half higher in patients with the disease when compared to people who do not have a degenerative disorder.

Led by researchers from the University of California San Francisco or UCSF, the study’s authors seek approval for the new method. According to researchers, the test could be used in primary care units like doctors’ surgeries to identify whether a person has Alzheimer’s disease or a mild cognitive impairment.

The authors of the study also said that current methods of diagnosing Alzheimer’s are either costly or invasive. It is also very difficult to perform, particularly on large populations. The blood test also paves the way for the throng of Alzheimer’s patients seeking enrollment in clinical trials.

Adam Boxer, the senior author of the study, said the new test could be deployed in a primary care setting for patients with memory concerns. This will help identify who needs to be referred to specialized units to join in clinical trials. They also have the first option when it comes to being treated with the latest Alzheimer’s therapies once they get approval.

The Senior Author is with the UCSF Memory and Ageing Centre

According to Boxer, the ability to easily identify Alzheimer’s disease at an early time can be very beneficial to patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment. Some of these patients may already have early forms of Alzheimer’s disease. He also said that persons with early Alzheimer’s could respond better to most of the available new treatments which are currently being developed.