Israeli and American researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, potentially revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment approaches.
Researchers at the Hebrew University in Israel have identified a distinct cellular pathway in the brain that indicates markers for future onset of Alzheimer’s disease, approximately 20 years before symptoms would typically appear. This world-first discovery could eventually lead to treatments that prevent the degenerative disease.
Comprehensive Biomarker Study on Alzheimer’s
A large-scale study involving Chinese participants over a 20-year period, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, has provided valuable insights into the progression of Alzheimer’s biomarkers:
*The ratio of Aβ 42 to Aβ 40 changed 14 years prior
*Amyloid-beta (Aβ) 42 levels diverged 18 years before diagnosis
*Phosphorylated tau 181 levels altered 11 years before diagnosis
*Total tau levels changed 10 years prior
*Neurofilament light chain levels shifted 9 years before diagnosis
*Hippocampal volume changes were observed 8 years prior
*Cognitive decline became apparent 6 years before diagnosis
This study demonstrates the long preclinical phase of Alzheimer’s disease and the potential for early intervention. A blood test called AD-Detect, developed by Quest Diagnostics, is now available in Israel for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. This test has shown 89% accuracy in identifying biomarkers associated with the disease.
Biomarker-based diagnosis: Prof. David Tanne, president of the Israel Neurological Association, describes this development as “the beginning of a revolution in the field”
These advancements offer hope for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, potentially changing the landscape of neurological care in the coming years. The ability to detect the disease up to two decades before symptom onset could provide a crucial window for intervention and lifestyle changes to slow its progression.
