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At last, a possible breakthrough for detecting the most common form of dementia.
Researchers from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) are one step closer to unraveling the mysteries that surround diagnosing and treating the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Scientists there are convinced that changes of tau and beta-amyloid protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could reveal the onset of Alzheimer's and, subsequently, established a method of testing for these biomarkers.
"This is indeed an encouraging report," says David Plaut, chemist, statistician and frequent contributor to ADVANCE. "Over the past few years a number of researchers have been studying these markers in CSF and tissue. To date, the results have not all been positive and more work- especially over time-needs to be done to solidify what may be a breakthrough."
In fact, these are the first CSF biomarker findings to be reported by ADNI since the program launched in 2004. Comparisons of biomarker levels of individuals with the disease versus those without, annual follow-up measurements and tracking cognitive behaviors, among other indicators, provided the data needed to confirm earlier studies and develop biomarker profiles that may signal the onset of the disease.
An Associated Press report issued March 23 (titled "Alzheimer's Cost Triple that of Other Elderly") suggests that healthcare costs of Alzheimer's disease patients are skyrocketing. The numbers are based on 2004 data and include average per-person Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance costs. yet many patients are cared for by family members who don't report costs. That fact plus the aging baby boomers will likely catapult these figures even higher.
So while a cure for Alzheimer's disease still doesn't exist, significant strides in its early detection affords the opportunity for earlier treatment of symptoms, thereby improving the quality of life of those affected. Details of ADNI's approach can be found at http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2009/nia-17.htm
Lynn Nace, Editor
lnace@advanceweb.com
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