New molecule promises early detection of Alzheimer's: study
Chicago, Dec 21 - US researchers has said they haveidentified people at risk for developing Alzheimer's diseaseusing imaging technology and a new molecule that can bind tothe abnormal proteins that are the hallmark of the devastatingbrain disease.The University of California researchers yesterady, saidthe new imaging technology offers a "real-time window into thebrain," identifying both of the major markers for the illnessin living people who may not develop Alzheimer's for years.They hope the new diagnostic tool will speed the searchfor Alzheimer's drugs and ultimately allow for early diagnosisand treatment of people at risk for the condition, saving themfrom the worst ravages of the memory-sapping illness."The study suggests that we may now have a new diagnostictool for detecting pre-Alzheimer's conditions to help usidentify those at risk, perhaps years before symptoms becomeobvious," said Dr Gary Small, director of the Centre on Agingat University of California, Los Angeles and lead author ofthe study.There is no test for Alzheimer's, a progressive brain
condition that degrades a person's memory and cognitivefunction, and the most common form of dementia. It can only bedefinitively confirmed with an autopsy.Doctors are obliged to piece together a diagnosis bymeans of a clinical history, cognitive testing and process ofelimination, but the hunt is on for better tools andscientists are in the early stages of identifying biomarkersin the blood and spinal fluid that could help with thatendeavour.