Diagnosis years before symptoms appear – Treatment Practice

Alzheimer’s can be diagnosed before symptoms appear

A new study has shown that Crohn’s Alzheimer’s years before the incident Symptoms diagnosis can be made. This can lead to a faster start of treatment, which increases the chances of preventing or slowing cognitive decline in the future.

A large study conducted by Lund University in Sweden showed that Alzheimer’s Now they can be identified before any symptoms appear. The results of the study were published in the journal “nature medicine” free.

Two proteins linked to Alzheimer’s

as present message of Lund University, it has long been known that there are two proteins associated with Alzheimer’s – beta-amyloid, which forms plaque in the brain, and tau, which then accumulates in brain cells.

raised mirror The combination of these proteins with cognitive impairment previously formed the basis for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

“Changes in the number of years a patient experiences significant symptoms between the ages of ten and twenty” Brain And only when the dew spreads does the nerve cells die and the affected person has the first cognitive problems.”Oskar Hansen, senior physician in neurology at Skne University Hospital and professor at Lund University, explains.

“That’s in Alzheimer’s” primary stage so hard to diagnoseAccording to the doctor.

Not a risk factor, but a diagnosis

The scientist now has a big international research study Held with 1,325 participants from Sweden, USA, Netherlands and Australia. At the start of the study, the subjects had no cognitive impairment.

with the help of PET Scan The presence of tau and amyloid in the participants’ brains could be visualized.

It was found that people who found the two proteins had 20 to 40 times more risk The disease developed several years later during follow-up, compared with those who had no biological changes.

“When both beta-amyloid and tau are present in the brain, it can no longer be considered a risk factor, but rather a risk factor. diagnosis to be considered”Rick Osenkuplunge, the study’s first author and senior researcher at Lund University and Amsterdam University Medical Center.

“A pathologist who is like that” brain samples The test will lead to an immediate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in the patient.”

Two schools of thought among researchers

According to Ossenkupplunge, Alzheimer’s researchers are related to the two schools of thought On the one hand, people who believe that Alzheimer’s disease may not be diagnosed until cognitive impairment begins.

And then there are people, including myself and her colleagues, who say that the diagnosis is based purely on the biology And what can be seen in the brain.

“For example, you can compare our results with those of prostate cancer. If you have a biopsy and detect cancer cells, the diagnosis is cancer, even if the person has not yet developed symptoms.”According to Osenkupplunge.

New medicine gives hope

As noted in the release, positive study results have recently been published, which are in line with a new medicine Against Alzheimer’s disease, lecanemab. The Lund University study on this basis is particularly interesting, say the researchers.

“If we can diagnose the disease before cognitive challenges arise, we may be able to use medicine to treat the disease at a very early stage. slow it down,Hanson explains.

“With physical activity and good nutrition, you will have a greater chance of preventing or slowing cognitive decline in the future. However, more research is needed before a treatment Recommended for those who have not yet developed memory loss”, concludes the scientist. (advertisement)