As with any disease, early detection is one of the key things that could possibly lead to getting cured, but some diseases are harder to detect than other. Luckily, a group of researchers has developed a blood test that is reportedly 100 percent accurate when it comes to the detection of early stage Alzheimer's.
The potentially life-saving blood test was developed by a group of researchers from both the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and Durin Technologies, Inc., and is said to have "unparalleled accuracy" according to reports from Fox News. In a test that involved more than 200 subjects, the test was 100 percent successful when it came to detection accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.
According to Tech Times, this new technology is less costly and less taxing psychologically compared to taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer's if the diagnosis had come too late. This new test is also revolutionary because before, the early signs of Alzheimer's, which the test can detect, did not develop into concrete symptoms until about ten years later.
"Our results show that it is possible to use a small number of blood-borne autoantibodies to accurately diagnose early-stage Alzheimer's," says Cassandra DeMarshall, lead author of the study and Ph. D. candidate. "These findings could eventually lead to the development of a simple, inexpensive and relatively noninvasive way to diagnose this devastating disease in its earliest stages," DeMarshall adds.
One of the first signs of having Alzheimer's is progressive memory and cognitive capability loss until a person can no longer respond to a majority of stimuli and can no longer carry a conversation for prolonged periods of time as well. Alzheimer's is mostly found in people in the 65 and above age range, but early onset may occur in around the 40- to 50-year-old age range.
