Alzheimer’s is very difficult to determine in advance, but scientists have discovered a new method that can predict the risk of developing the disease. As writes «Popular mechanics», early diagnosis of the disease usually requires an expensive invasive PET scan, or the diagnosis is made too late, when irreparable damage to the body has already been caused.
The researchers suggested using a blood test, but not a simple one: this test measures the level of toxic tau proteins and protein-polysaccharide complexes – amyloids in the blood. Such tests can predict whether a person will develop dementia, which can develop into Alzheimer’s disease.
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The new test, combined with patient questionnaires, allows to determine the likelihood of detecting Alzheimer’s disease 2-4 years before the first clinical symptoms appear. In some cases, it is possible to learn about the disease even in more than ten years – however, in such cases, a person should already have a slight memory loss.
Previously scientists also identified another method identifying a predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease. It turned out that such people are worse at navigating in an unfamiliar space; a preliminary diagnosis can be made on the basis of computer tasks.
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