Blood test and motor indicators show potential for early Alzheimer's detection

New research suggests that Alzheimer's disease may be detectable up to a decade before the onset of cognitive symptoms through blood biomarkers and physical indicators.

A study published in JAMA, led by researchers from Mass General Brigham, utilized data from over 2,600 adults across North America, Japan, and Australia. The study identified that levels of the blood protein phosphorylated tau 217 (P-tau217) can predict cognitive decline. Specifically, every one-standard-deviation increase in P-tau217 levels was associated with a 38% increased risk of progressing toward intellectual decline.

Complementary research highlights physical warning signs, such as slower walking speeds and decreased grip strength, which often precede dementia. While longitudinal data from the UK Biobank confirmed these motor deficits, researchers at the University of Central Florida used a neuromuscular junction chip to investigate whether these issues stem from brain degradation or the peripheral nervous system. Their findings, published in Alzheimer's and Dementia, indicate that motor failures vary depending on specific genetic mutations, such as those in the presenilin 1 gene.