How to determine a tendency towards dementia using blood tests – November 26, 2023

Scientists from the USA published study, which shows that certain plasma proteins may be associated with the later development of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers believe that changes associated with this disease occur decades before the first noticeable symptoms appear. The disease is usually diagnosed after cognitive impairment has become apparent, and early diagnosis will allow patients to maintain the same quality of life longer. Researchers have found that the progression of the disease can be predicted by 20 years before its onset by specific changes in blood plasma proteins. However, while there is no “simple dementia test” that would accurately indicate whether a person will have Alzheimer’s disease or not, the researchers created a model that predicted dementia with an average probability of 78 percent when adjusted for demographics and comorbidities.

Nowadays, the tendency to develop dementia is determined mainly by a combination of various factors affecting human health. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, genetics are thought to play a key role.

“Scientists know more than 20 genes, mutations in which affect the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases,” says expert of the Gemotest laboratory, neurologist Ekaterina Demyanovskaya. “Some of them can already be determined by analyzing the buccal epithelium (tissue on the inside of the cheek) or by blood, but it is unlikely that this will ever become a common procedure. Even if a person learns about his high risk, specific prevention of neurodegenerative diseases has not been developed, as well as effective treatment that would restore lost cognitive functions.

Ekaterina Demyanovskaya says that the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease is higher in people whose relatives already have this diagnosis. And, as a rule, such people already know that they are at risk. To confirm or refute this information, they may be prescribed genetic testing.

“There are several blood tests using the PCR method to identify people at high risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease,” says Tatyana Taradeeva, therapist at INVITRO-Privolzhye. — For example, a test for diagnosing hyperlipidemia III type It is also used to predict the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is involved in the catabolism of lipoproteins and regulates plasma cholesterol levels. In addition, it is the main cholesterol transporter in the nervous system, playing an important role in modeling neuronal membranes. High levels of ApoE may indicate the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Tests are also done when the first signs of dementia appear. Its first symptoms may be depression, anxiety, irritability, apathy, psychosis, and slowing of cognitive functions. Memory impairment, which has become a kind of calling card of the disease, is also one of the first symptoms, but often Changes in a person’s behavior can be noticed earlier.

“In this case, an analysis is prescribed for one of the most common genetic Huntington’s diseases, which most often manifests itself after forty years,” says Tatyana Taradeeva.

The therapist notes that the prevention of dementia involves the treatment of somatic diseases – arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, kidney disease and others. Also, to prevent the development of dementia, doctors and scientists recommend maintaining high social, cognitive and physical activity throughout life. In addition, according to experts, it is advisable to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury, identify factors that can lead to hearing loss and reduce their impact, avoid alcohol abuse and control body weight.