Blood Test for Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease May Be On Horizon

by Administrator 12. March 2009 06:54
By McKnight's Long-Term Care News - New research suggests there may one day be a blood test to accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease and its level of severity.

A team of scientists from the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia discovered a "strong and consistent relationship" between certain antibodies and levels of cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's. The antibodies are created when the body detects the presence of two specific proteins that are strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease: amyloid-beta protein and RAGE protein.

For the study, researchers took blood samples from 118 older adults and compared antibody levels with levels of cognitive impairment. Researchers hope the discovery of the link between the two factors will eventually lead to a blood test for the disease. The research can be found in the current issue of the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences.

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Aging Successfully | Alzheimier's & Dementia | Gerontology / Geriatrics | Health & Medical

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About the Author

John Rothbarth is the owner of the St. Louis Times, a media company focused on serving the informational needs of the St. Louis metro-area aging baby boomer/60+ population. The company publishes the St. Louis Times Resource Guide, St. Louis Times Express, and hosts St. Louis Times Funfest and St. Louis Times Geriatrics Symposium events. The company was founded in 1994 and has remained true to its original mission of 'doing some good for older adults and the professionals who work on their behalf.'

Since 1994 the company has won over 20 National Media Awards. He has participated on many local Boards of Directors, all of whom cater to the needs of our area’s aging population. For 2009 he is also President of Breakthrough Coalition, a consortium of over 250 aging-focused organizations and  professionals dedicated to serving the needs of older adults in the St. Louis / Illinois bi-state area.

John is a native St. Louisan, father of two sons, and graduate of the University of Missouri - Columbia with a BS degree in Business Administration. His interests include reading mysteries, jogging, motorcycling, and aviation - he is a pilot with instrument, multi-engine and seaplane ratings.

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