An experimental blood test may be able to detect Alzheimer’s disease almost two decades before a typical diagnosis
A groundbreaking blood test could identify a devastating illness nearly two decades before a conventional diagnosis. New research has revealed that this test may predict Alzheimer’s disease 17 years ahead of the typical timeframe.
The results, published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry B, also indicate this test might detect Parkinson’s disease at an early stage. According to Study Finds, the research examined the application of an innovative sensor known as the immuno-infrared sensor (iRS).
This sensor has the capability to identify abnormal protein alterations in blood associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, potentially years before symptoms emerge. Drawing on a substantial population study, it forecasted Alzheimer’s disease risk up to 17 years prior to clinical diagnosis.
The technology functions by detecting structural changes in brain-related proteins within blood samples, identifying an early warning sign that existing blood tests overlook. But, it’s crucial to note that this test hasn’t yet received approval for widespread use and needs additional testing.
How the sensor works
Both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease have been associated with an abnormal accumulation of proteins in the brain. In Alzheimer’s, this is triggered by the progressive accumulation of two proteins called amyloid (creating plaques surrounding cells) and tau (creating tangles within cells). In Parkinson’s, the damaged brain cells frequently build up unusual protein deposits known as Lewy bodies, which hold a protein called alpha-synuclein. Rather than measuring whether a protein existed or not, the sensor identified whether it had begun to alter shape, providing a far earlier indication.
Following a blood sample being collected, an infrared light is shone onto proteins extracted from the sample. The sensor then establishes how advanced the misfolding process has become.
The research utilised an existing population-based study drawing on blood samples from a subset of 10,000 participants, discovering that the sensor predicted Alzheimer’s disease risk up to 17 years before any symptoms appeared, with accuracy levels as high as 0.82 out of a maximum 1.0.
Among a smaller group who had already mentioned mild memory issues, the test predicted progression to full clinical Alzheimer’s disease six years ahead, with an accuracy score of 0.94. For Parkinson’s disease, the sensor was tested on spinal fluid samples in a discovery and independent validation study, reaching 94 per cent sensitivity and 97 per cent specificity.
Blood-based Parkinson’s results were also documented, with an accuracy score of 0.94, 87 per cent sensitivity, and 97 per cent specificity, though that specific study was a preprint at the time and hadn’t yet completed peer review.
Study limitations
However, the study has its limitations. The report analysed and combined existing research instead of presenting entirely new clinical trial data.
Additionally, some of the performance figures cited, including the predictive accuracy statistics for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, come from previously published studies referenced in the paper, rather than from new experimental data. The Parkinson’s blood-based results mentioned were, at the time of publication, only available as a preprint study and hadn’t yet been peer reviewed.
The ALS-related findings are characterised as a feasibility study, indicating they represent very preliminary evidence. For widespread population screening, the test still needs regulatory certification in Europe and FDA approval in the United States, and capacity would need to be substantially scaled up.
Moreover, one declared competing interest is that the corresponding author, Klaus Gerwert, is the founder and CEO of betaSENSE GmbH, which is linked to the commercialisation of this technology.
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