Blood tests could reveal early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, research suggests
Biological changes linked to Alzheimer’s begin decades before symptoms appear, study says
- A Finnish study indicates that signs of Alzheimer's disease, specifically elevated brain-related biomarkers, may be detectable in blood from middle age.
- The research, involving 2,051 individuals, found these biological changes in adults aged 41 to 56, suggesting they begin decades before typical symptom onset.
- The study also identified a potential hereditary component, with a parent's biomarker levels, particularly mothers, possibly linked to similar patterns in their children.
- Factors such as increasing age and kidney disease were associated with higher biomarker levels, and the APOE ε4 gene was linked to higher levels in older individuals.
- Researchers cautioned that while promising, these blood tests are not yet suitable for routine diagnosis and require further research for standardization.