SYDNEY: Researchers from the University of Melbourne have developed a new blood test that could lead to the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, potentially reducing the impact of dementia in the future.
According to Philippines News Agency, the research team identified potassium isotopes in blood serum as a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease. Low levels of potassium in the blood were found to be an early indicator of the condition, which affects memory, thinking, and behavior and is the most common form of dementia, accounting for up to 70% of cases globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Brandon Mahan, a co-author of the study, said in a media release, “Our minimally invasive test assesses the relative levels of potassium isotopes in human blood serum and shows potential to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease before cognitive decline or other disease symptoms become apparent, so action can be taken to reduce the impacts.”
Currently, Alzheimer’s diagnosis relies on a combination of medical history, neurological exams, cognitive assessments, and the analysis of proteins in cerebrospinal fluid or blood samples. Mahan noted that earlier diagnosis would make patients eligible for a wider range of clinical trials and lead to further breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s research.
A March report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) estimated that the number of Australians living with dementia could more than double, from 411,100 in 2023 to 849,300 by 2058. Another AIHW report published in June revealed that dementia was the second most common cause of death in Australia in 2022, and the most common cause of death among women.