A blood test that measures a group of peptides called beta amyloid - the build-up of which in brain is the hallmark of Alzheimer's - can help diagnose the disease, scientists say.
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease most frequently affecting the elderly. The most commonly associated symptom is a progressive loss of memory to the stage in which the patient is completely dependent on caregivers for their daily needs.
There is a large amount of research supporting the theory that a group of peptides called beta amyloid, which are found naturally in the body, are major contributors to Alzheimer's disease.
The build up of these peptides in the brain over a period of years cause memory complaints and other symptoms associated with the disease.
Professor Manuel Sarasa, founder of Spanish research company Araclon Biotech, and his team have been perfecting blood tests "ABtest40" and "ABtest42" to measure the very small amounts of these peptides in the blood.
"The study has shown that our tests for Abeta; in blood find a high level of association between the peptide levels and the disease when comparing healthy people and people with mild cognitive impairment," Sarasa said.
"By measuring three different levels in blood, free in plasma, bound to plasma components and bound to blood cells, for two of the most significant peptides, Abeta40 and Abeta42, then comparing the ratios of those levels to established diagnoses methods, we have been able to consistently show a relationship between Abeta; levels and the disease," he said.
