International study finds blood test predicts early Alzheimer risk

An international research team has found that a simple blood test can predict Alzheimer disease related cognitive decline up to a decade before clinical symptoms emerge, ScienceDaily Mind & Brain reported. The findings indicate that early biomarker detection in blood samples could identify vulnerable individuals long before noticeable memory or thinking problems develop. [1]

According to the study details published by ScienceDaily Mind & Brain, individuals identified in the highest risk category face a 38 percent probability of cognitive impairment within five years. That risk rises to an estimated 78 percent chance within 10 years. [1]

Alzheimer disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that serves as the most common cause of dementia, accounting for roughly 60 to 70 percent of overall cases. Difficulty in remembering recent events is typically the earliest clinical symptom, followed by language difficulties, disorientation, and behavioral changes as the condition advances. [4]

Researchers state that early identification through blood testing could allow for timely medical intervention and support the development of preventive treatments for Alzheimer disease. [1]