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New blood test can help detect Alzheimer's
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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In Switzerland, a team of specialists has developed a method that allows early detection of the development of diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The experts noted that the new method will allow patients to avoid a spinal puncture, which is currently used for analysis.
The connection between old age and weakening of memory and reason was noticed by the ancient Greeks and Romans; symptoms of Parkinson's disease are found in descriptions from the 12th century BC (presumably this disease was observed in one of the Egyptian pharaohs).
Nowadays, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are quite common and costly for the economies of developed countries, so scientists are trying to find new effective ways to diagnose and treat these disorders.
Currently, doctors determine the stage of the disease by measuring certain proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood. The invention of Swiss scientists will not only be more convenient, but may also help in the development of new treatment methods.
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by disruption of the functioning and death of nerve cells. Swiss scientists tried to measure the level of neurofilament protein (part of nerve cells) in the blood, which is released into the blood during the development of neurodegenerative disorders. As a result, the assumptions of the scientific group were confirmed - the development of the disease can be observed by the level of neurofilament in the blood. Thanks to the new testing method, scientists were able to obtain data on cognitive impairment. More than 200 volunteers took part in the study and the test showed a result with 100% accuracy, even in the early stages of the disease. The head of the scientific group Jens Kuhle noted that the new method is equally effective in the case of animals and in the case of people. Also, according to Professor Kuhle, today it is possible to use the results of clinical studies on animals and compare them later, which allows for the development of new types of treatment.
For example, in Germany, a group of scientists found that alpha-synuclein, tau protein, and beta-amyloid accumulate in the brains of rodents with neurodegenerative disorders. Experimentally, a relationship was determined between the level of neurofilament in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid; in addition, the level of this protein increases as the disease progresses and the brain is damaged. When pathological processes in the animals' bodies were artificially increased or blocked, an increase or decrease in the level of neurofilament in the blood was noted. Such results prompted scientists to think that in the future, to determine the stage of the disease, it will be possible to do without a puncture of the cerebrospinal fluid, which is quite unpleasant for elderly patients and is not suitable for frequent use.
In comments on the study, Professor Kule noted that the new diagnostic method will help in conducting clinical trials, for example, for testing drugs for neurodegenerative disorders.