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Hope for Diagnosing Alzheimer's
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A simple test of spinal fluid may soon help to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease accurately. Researchers have found 23 proteins in spinal fluid that together form a “fingerprint” for the disease, according to research published in the Annals of Neurology.
Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 4.5 million Americans, robbing them of their memory and leading to profound disability and eventually death. There is currently no known cure, and the available drugs only alleviate symptoms. The progressive disease is diagnosed mainly by its symptoms, making early diagnosis and tracking very difficult. A definitive diagnosis of the disease can only be made by performing an autopsy, so it is difficult for doctors to know for sure that someone has Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists are trying to identify the early brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s and are searching for signs of the disease in areas other than brain tissue. While hunting for a biological marker of the disease, scientists examined 2,000 proteins found in the spinal fluid of 34 people who died of Alzheimer’s and compared it to the spinal fluid of non-Alzheimer’s patients.
They discovered 23 proteins that until now have not been linked to Alzheimer’s, but together formed a “fingerprint” of the disease. Some of these proteins are related to plaque formation and inflammation- both of which are seen in Alzheimer’s disease. The test is believed to be 90% accurate.
While the test is not yet available to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, these new findings may help researchers develop early detection tests . This could lead to a better understanding of the disease and more effective treatments, including those aimed at prevention.
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