Breakthrough blood test could detect Alzheimer’s years before symptoms show

A BLOOD test detecting Alzheimer’s years before symptoms show is moving closer, a study suggests.

It follows a breakthrough in identifying chemicals linked to mild cognitive impairment — an early sign of the memory-stealing disease.

Alamy

A blood test detecting Alzheimer’s years before symptoms show is moving closer[/caption]

And testing for them could lead to patients having drugs or lifestyle changes prescribed early.

The latest discovery is from tests that identified two rogue proteins in the brains of those with mild cognitive impairment.

The proteins show up in plasma, the yellowish liquid that carries blood cells around the body.

It means these biomarkers might be spotted with a simple blood test rather than other invasive and costly techniques.

Researcher Prof Bin Xu, of Central University, North Carolina, US, said: “Our work provides a new avenue for developing diagnosis and differentiation tools for Alzheimer’s.

“This could help clinicians intervene early.”