British researchers discover Alzheimer’s link to lower MAPKAPK5 levels
Alzheimer’s – if there is a family out there that hasn’t been impacted by it, this author hasn’t met them yet. It seems like as soon as you mention your own family’s issue, the stories come out and you know you are not alone.
Fortunately, British researchers may have found a blood test that could detect the signs of the disease up to 10 years earlier. They have found that the blood level of a protein called MAPKAPK5 was lower in the individuals whose cognitive ability had declined over the study period.
Researchers at Kings College London and the Medical Research Council have found that a protein which can be detected in the blood is much lower in people who go on to develop Mild Cognitive Impairment, a disorder which often leads to dementia.
They made this discovery after they followed the progress on a set of 100 twins over 10 years taking samples along the way. They noticed that as the protein declined, so did their mental abilities. The next step will be to replicate the findings in an independent study which could then lead to a reliable blood test. Early diagnosis is essential in this disease so it can be tackled early as part of clinical trials for new drugs. Getting candidates at the right time for these trials is what makes the treatments most effective and shows the true potential for the new drug.
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