Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have developed a blood test that can identify a hereditary form of Alzheimer’s disease up to ten years before symptoms appear. This innovative method utilizes blood biomarkers to provide early diagnosis, which is crucial for timely intervention.
Charlotte Johansson, the study's lead author, stated that the technique could serve as a non-invasive biomarker for early immune cell activation in the central nervous system, potentially aiding in the development of new medications and cognitive disease diagnostics.
The study, published in the journal Brain, highlights how glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) reflects brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, occurring prior to the accumulation of the more recognized tau protein.
The specific form of Alzheimer’s examined is rare, accounting for less than 1% of cases, primarily affecting individuals with a genetic mutation that increases their risk of developing the disease by 50%.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from 33 mutation carriers and 42 non-carriers from 1994 to 2018. They found that GFAP levels increased approximately ten years before the onset of symptoms, followed by rises in P-tau181 and neurofilament light protein (NfL), which correlates with neuronal damage.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 55 million people currently live with dementia globally, with 60% to 70% diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. These numbers are expected to rise significantly due to an aging population, with estimates projecting 78 million cases in eight years and 139 million by 2050.
This emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis as a pressing public health issue. Early identification of Alzheimer’s can lead to interventions that slow disease progression, enhancing patient quality of life.