| A Pinprick to Predict Alzheimer’s? | Dear e-Alert Reader,
As we move into winter, health conversations often shift toward flu prevention and staying active indoors.
But for the millions of seniors who are also concerned about cognitive health, new research on Alzheimer’s detection might grab your attention just as much.
Right now, over 152 million people worldwide are expected to be living with dementia by 2050, and Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting countless families.
That’s why early detection and accessible testing methods are so vital.
This November, researchers from pharmaceutical giant Roche presented promising findings on two experimental tests…
The news could mean big changes for how we screen for Alzheimer’s—and how early we can spot it.
(Article continues below.) |
|
|
Alzheimer’s testing has traditionally involved clinical exams and invasive tests, like spinal taps, to measure biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). But the new blood tests presented by Roche are designed to do something far more accessible: detect biomarkers in a simple blood sample, ruling out Alzheimer’s as the cause of cognitive decline with impressive accuracy.
One test, known as the Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel, measures Alzheimer’s biomarkers such as phosphorylated Tau (pTau) 181 protein and apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) in the blood.
These biomarkers have long been associated with Alzheimer’s. Higher levels of pTau 181, for example, are often linked to Alzheimer’s, while the ApoE4 gene is one of the most common genetic risk factors.
In a trial of 492 participants in the U.S. and Europe, the panel achieved a 96% accuracy in ruling out Alzheimer’s.
Imagine being able to find out with just a simple blood test if Alzheimer’s is likely not the cause of memory problems—potentially saving patients from invasive testing.
The second blood test, Elecsys pTau 217 assay, targets another protein, pTau 217, linked to Alzheimer’s. This test provides a “double cutoff” result—giving positive and negative answers with a small “grey zone” in between. By testing it against other methods, Roche has managed to reduce this grey zone to 12%, meaning a much higher certainty in results.
For a disease as complex and far-reaching as Alzheimer’s, these innovations in early detection are groundbreaking.
Dr. Margherita Carboni, a lead researcher on the project, explains that many Alzheimer’s patients may live with symptoms for YEARS without realizing they have the disease, or without a confirmed diagnosis.
Early detection through biomarkers is vital for tracking the disease and planning effective treatment. And while these tests aren’t the final word, they could still be the first step toward accessible Alzheimer’s screening.
These advances don’t mean we should jump straight to blood tests for Alzheimer’s diagnosis, but they do offer a hopeful look at the future of memory care. More accessible screening could help millions of seniors understand their cognitive health better and get support sooner.
While these tests are still in development, here are two ways you can support cognitive health naturally:Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Known for their anti-inflammatory properties, omega-3s—found in fish oil and flaxseed—are thought to support brain health by reducing plaque buildup associated with Alzheimer’s. Regular intake may improve memory and mental clarity.Curcumin: This active compound in turmeric has shown promise in research for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may support brain function and protect against cognitive decline.This breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research brings us closer to detecting the disease in its earliest stages, and as we enter 2025, it’s worth keeping an eye on the continued progress in Alzheimer’s diagnostics.
To staying sharp and informed,
Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team
P.S. For 26 years, here at the Health Sciences Institute (HSI) we’ve been leading the way in bringing its members news of the latest, underground natural health breakthroughs from around the world. And now, in the Brilliant Brain Protocol, we detail dozens of natural medicine’s most cutting-edge brain breakthroughs. Click here to learn more.
Sources:
Pelc, C. (2024, November). Alzheimer’s blood tests show “very good accuracy” in early trials. Medicalnewstoday.com; Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alzheimers-blood-tests-show-very-good-accuracy-in-early-trials#How-helpful-are-Alzheimer-s-blood-biomarker-tests-really
Not yet a Health Sciences Institute’s monthly newsletter subscriber? |
|
|
