A new blood test may help people detect Alzeimher’s more easily compared to tests currently in use.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have devised a new lab test, which could potentially identify people at risk of developing the neurodegenerative disease. The test, known as SOBA, was able to flag risk patterns associated with Alzeimher’s amongst healthy participants who did not experience cognitive decline.
The news follows the development of a ground-breaking drug for the disease earlier this year. Scientists believe that the trial drug, Lecanemab, could help slow the progress of dementia amongst patients in the early stages of the disease.
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However, both the blood test and Lecanemab will need to undergo rigorous testing to be considered for use outside of clinical trials. The use of blood tests as a diagnostic tool could prove cheaper and safer for patients, while also helping scientists successfully carry out more clinical trials.
Dr Laura O’Phoilbin from the Alzeimher’s Society of Ireland previously welcomed the news of Lecanemab’s success in clinical trials as a landmark moment for treatment of the disease. She said that research into treating Alzeimher’s has until recently met many frustrating dead ends over the past few decades.
There are 64,000 people currently living with dementia in Ireland, making it the country’s most common neurodegenerative disease. Dementia itself is an umbrella term for similar but separate conditions, including Alzeimher’s, vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia and fronto-temporal dementia.
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