Blood test identifies those at-risk for cognitive decline, Alzheimer's within 3 years

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-03/gumc-bti030314.php

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 9-Mar-2014
Contact: Karen Teber
Georgetown University Medical Center

Blood test identifies those at-risk for cognitive decline, Alzheimer's within 3 years

WASHINGTON — Researchers have discovered and validated a blood test that can predict with greater than 90 percent accuracy if a healthy person will develop mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease within three years.

Described in Nature Medicine published online today, the study heralds the potential for developing treatment strategies for Alzheimer's at an earlier stage, when therapy would be more effective at slowing or preventing onset of symptoms. It is the first known published report of blood-based biomarkers for preclinical Alzheimer's.

The test identifies 10 lipids, or fats, in the blood that predict disease onset. It could be ready for use in clinical studies in as few as two years and, researchers say, other diagnostic uses are possible.

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A panel of 10 lipids was discovered, which researchers say appears to reveal the breakdown of neural cell membranes in participants who develop symptoms of cognitive impairment or AD.

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