HOPE FOR ALZHEIMER BLOOD TEST SOON

A blood test that measures the effect of promoting DHEA production can diagnose Alzheimer's disease and may soon hit the market. A study has been published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Senior author Dr. Vassilios Papadopoulos, said:

"Until now, there has been no definitive diagnostic tool for Alzheimer's, other than postmortem analysis of brain tissue. Our clinical study shows that a non-invasive blood test, based on a biochemical process, may be successfully used.

Published 4 May 2011

Scientists from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) have found a link between the chemical dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and a person’s cognitive and mental status.

The researchers hope it will one day lead to the creation of a blood test for Alzheimer's disease. The study of 86 people promoted the production of DHEA, using a chemical process called oxidation, in blood taken from non-Alzheimer's patients. However, oxidation of blood from Alzheimer's patients did not result in an increase of DHEA.  Alzheimer's Society comment:

'Research about the blood test for DHEA is in the very early stages and much more research is now needed to confirm these findings and to better understand whether the DHEA blood test could provide useful information about the diagnosis or progression of Alzheimer's disease.  Combining blood tests with other promising techniques including brain scans and spinal fluid tests is likely to provide the most effective results.
'Dementia is the biggest health and social care challenge of our generation. Only with further investment in research can dementia be defeated.'

Professor Clive Ballard
Director of Research
Alzheimer's Society
to diagnose Alzheimer's at an early stage and differentiate it from other types of dementia."