By
Daily Mail Reporter
19:58 EST, 6 December 2013
|
19:58 EST, 6 December 2013
A new and ‘exceptionally accurate’ test can predict if a person will develop Alzheimer’s disease within the next two years. Â
The combined brain scan and memory exam has a 90 per cent accuracy rate in determining whether people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) will go on to develop Alzheimer’s.
Currently the disease is often diagnosed late, sometimes up to ten years after the first pathological changes in the brain.
Test: The red colours are a warning of Alzheimer’s Disease the green a normal healthy brain
Earlier diagnosis means patients can have treatment that could delay or stave off brain changes, say researchers at the University of Montreal, Canada.
Forty-five patients with MCI were given recall and recognition tasks – both very good indicators of dementia.
They were also given brain scans. Images that showed thinning in some areas of the brain proved to be very predictive of those at risk.
MCI is the intermediate stage between the normal memory loss that comes with ageing and early Alzheimer’s disease. It does not automatically lead to developing Alzheimer’s.
Sylvie Belleville, professor of psychology at the University of Montreal, said: ‘It is when combining and analysing the results from both methods that we could achieve such an exceptional level of accuracy.
‘Clinical benefits are enormous’: A new test can predict if someone will develop the disease in the next two years
‘The clinical benefits of these extra two years are enormous.’
Prof Belleville, a director of research
at the university, said ‘For the moment, we can’t diagnose this disease
very early due to the lack of reliable protocols.
‘Thus, there is a risk of erroneously identifying the disease when trying to diagnose it too early.
‘Identifying
markers that correctly predict the subsequent onset of more severe
symptoms that are sensitive and specific considerably reduces the
uncertainty of early diagnosis.
‘The innovation here is showing that two different approaches can be combined to aid in diagnosis.’
Jessica Smith, from the Alzheimer’s Society, said it could one day help the 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK. But she called for more money to be invested in research.
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Flibbertigibbet,
London, United Kingdom,
9 hours ago
There’s a cognitive function test for dementia on the foodforthebrain.org website
llani,
Colchester, United Kingdom,
1 day ago
I am in my mid 50?s and already diagnosed with MCI all those making fun…. just hope and pray one day your not affected
Annie,
Notts,
2 days ago
No thanks,
Pug With Wet Nose,
Bangkok, Thailand,
2 days ago
Remind me, what was this article about? Ah yes a cup of tea would be nice thankyou.
cat,
Glasgow,
2 days ago
Laccy – France how unoriginal. Can only assume your life has never been affected by this terribly sad disease.
RM,
Paris, France,
2 days ago
Presumably when the two years had passed you’d have fogotten the diagnosis.
passthebutterplease,
Shrewsbury,
2 days ago
If you really want to AVOID Alzeimers now being called (Type 3 Diabetes) a good start would be to go Paleo. The proof is in the puddings and the parallel increase in Type 2 Diabetes and Alzeimers is not a coincidence.
laccy,
france,
2 days ago
I made an appointment for one of these tests a couple of years ago but forgot all about it!
chohan,
croydon,
2 days ago
PLEASE DONT WANT TO KNOW,KEEP ACTIVE FRIENDS.
lottie,
manchester,
2 days ago
So do you go to the doctor and ask for the test incase you get Alzheimers in two years time.?Or will it be offered to all over a certain age. Because in my experience people only visit the doctor when the disease has taken its hold.
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