EU-funded researchers find biomarkers can show early presence of Alzheimer's
The signs of Alzheimer's disease can be detected at a very early stage, even in patients suffering from only minimal memory loss, according to a new report published in the Lancet Neurology journal. Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden believe that Alzheimer's and the dementia that accompanies it can be detected by the presence of certain biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid. The research is part of the DESCRIPA ('Development of screening guidelines and diagnostic criteria for predementia Alzheimer's disease') project, funded under the Life Quality Theme of the EU's Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) with EUR 399,997 in support. Samples taken from 168 patients across 7 countries were included in the study. 'The earlier we can catch Alzheimer's disease, the more we can do for the patient,' explained world-leading researcher in the field, Professor Kaj Blennow of the Sahlgrenska Academy. 'The disease is one that progresses slowly, and the pharmaceuticals that are currently available are only able to alleviate the symptoms.' Biomarkers are proteins that can be found in the cerebrospinal fluid, which acts as a buffer for the cortex, providing basic mechanical and immunological protection for the brain. Not only can biomarkers indicate the presence of certain types of diseases including Alzheimer's, but they also can signal whether certain toxic substances are present in the body. About 26 million people worldwide currently suffer from Alzheimer's and scientists believe that the figures could quadruple in the next 40 years. It is one of the most costly diseases for healthcare services because of the necessity of long-term care. 'The patients who had the typical changes in biomarker profile of the cerebrospinal fluid had a risk of deterioration that was 27 times higher than [that of] the control group,' said Professor Blennow. 'We could also see that all patients with mild cognitive impairment who deteriorated and developed Alzheimer's disease had these changes in the biomarker profile of their cerebrospinal fluid.' The researchers have also shown a relationship between the profiles of identified biomarkers and other typical signs of Alzheimer's disease, such as the presence of the gene APOE e4 and the deterioration of the hippocampus, a structure of the brain that controls memory. 'Our discovery that an analysis of biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid can reveal Alzheimer's disease at a very early stage will have major significance if the new type of pharmaceutical that can directly slow the progression of the disease proves to have a clinical effect,' Professor Blennow commented. 'It is important in this case to start treatment before the changes in the brain have become too severe.'
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