In a major breakthrough, researchers from the U.K. and China have uncovered a treasure trove of proteins in frozen blood samples that may predict various forms of dementia more than 10 years before a formal diagnosis. Published in the journal Nature Aging, this study is a crucial step in ongoing research to develop a simple blood test capable of identifying individuals at risk for dementia, potentially accelerating the development of innovative treatments.
Brain scans currently detect abnormal levels of the protein beta-amyloid years before Alzheimer’s dementia manifests, but these tests are expensive and often lack insurance coverage. The latest findings suggest the likelihood of developing blood tests capable of predicting dementia risk over the next decade, paving the way for more accessible and cost-effective diagnostics.
Dr. Suzanne Schindler, an Alzheimer’s researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, underscores the significance of the study, expressing optimism about the development of blood tests for dementia risk prediction. Jian-Feng Feng of Fudan University in Shanghai, a study author, highlights the critical importance of such tests in aging populations like China’s and discusses potential commercial development based on their research.
Examining 52,645 blood samples from the U.K.’s Biobank research repository, collected between 2006 and 2010, researchers identified 1,463 proteins associated with dementia. Elevated levels of proteins GFAP, NEFL, GDF15, and LTBP2 consistently correlated with a higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, or dementia from any cause.
While this research awaits independent validation, the study’s findings offer promising insights into the early detection of dementia through blood protein signatures. Notably, neurofilament light, a protein already used clinically for diagnosing conditions like multiple sclerosis, emerged as a reliable predictor of dementia in the study.
As the field progresses, the potential integration of blood tests for dementia into clinical practice could revolutionize early diagnosis and intervention, aligning with advancements in treatments like Eisai and Biogen’s recently approved Leqembi. Stay tuned for further developments in this transformative research shaping the future of dementia detection and care.
