Blood Signature May Predict Alzheimer’s Disease
A molecular signature found in serum samples may predict future development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), even before the first symptoms of the disease occur in patients, new research suggests.
In a cohort study of more than 100 elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), investigators found that those who progressed to AD less than 4 years later had a molecular signature suggesting a state of increased hypoxia.
“The study is important, as it identifies molecular changes associated with AD progression years in advance,” lead author Matej Orešič, PhD, research professor of systems biology and bioinformatics at the VTT Technical Research Center of Finland in Espoo, told Medscape Medical News.
“The study therefore suggests that a blood test may eventually be available to identify the patients at risk of AD who could then be followed-up more tightly,” said Dr. Orešič.
The investigators note that the application of a simple biochemical assay from these blood tests could complement neurocognitive assessments given to elderly patients.
“Establishment of pathogenic relevance of predictive biomarkers such as ours may not only facilitate early diagnosis, but may also help identify new therapeutic avenues,” they write.
The study was published online December 13 in Translational Psychiatry.