Alzheimer’s is a mounting problem in the United States, with more than 5 million Americans affected by the insidious disease; by 2025, that number is expected to jump to 7 million Americans. Although the facts are bleak, there is hope on the horizon. A new blood test could make it possible to detect Alzheimer’s before it strikes, giving individuals the chance to jump-start their treatment.
In a ground-breaking study, researchers have developed a brand-new blood test that can predict a healthy person’s odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease within three years. The study, which was published in Nature Medicine, looked at hundreds of elderly adults who were cognitively normal, trying to identify a difference between those who were cognitively normal and those who went on to develop Alzheimer’s. What they came up with was a simple blood test looking at 10 lipids, or fat molecules, that was able to predict who would develop the disease with 90% accuracy.
Although more research remains to be done, this test is poised to be a game-changer in the field of medicine. Prior to this discovery, there was no cost-effective, simple way to detect Alzheimer’s risk. Tune in to the video clip believe to learn more about this exciting medical breakthrough.