A saliva test could detect Alzheimer's symptoms

The results were presented at the annual Conference of the International Association of Alzheimer. In this way, seeks to slow cognitive decline until it appears. The opinion of an expert

appears. The opinion of an expert

Recent advances in Alzheimer's disease are aimed at slowing down symptoms and cognitive impairment. Experts now believe that biological processes behind the neurodegenerative condition start years, until decades, until the memory problems and confusion become evident.

At the Annual Conference of the International Association of Alzheimer - which takes place from 18 to 23 July in Washington, United States-, researchers announced that a series of substances present in saliva can distinguish people who experience a normal aging, those with mild cognitive dementia (which in some cases can lead to Alzheimer's disease) , and in Alzheimer's disease.

The research was conducted by Shraddha Sapkota, neurocientista of the University of Alberta, who along with his colleagues, carefully analysed saliva samples from a group of volunteers who participated in a study of aging. Some had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, others with mild cognitive impairment, while the latter group had neurological conditions.

Comparison of the components of saliva, the scientists found that each of the three groups showed slightly different patterns of compounds, which could form the basis of a form not invasive to determine to detect people who are at greater risk.

Julián Bustin, head of the Memory clinic and Ineco Gerontopsiquiatria, writes that this kind of methods are the future for early detection: "currently to diagnose lumbar punctures in the medulla are made to see if there are certain proteins that are present in patients with Alzheimer's disease. It is an invasive method. Another is a Tomography with a marker for amyloid protein but it is very expensive. "Why, is trying to find ways of detecting non-invasive, quick and accessible for all".

The expert says that one tries to achieve the same through a blood test. "For now they were not observed in large populations to certify them. This is the way. These tests are studied for five years. "Is presented now because it is one of the first studies that gave positive".

Since the Conference highlighted that the results are not sufficient proof even so physicians begin to use them to distinguish people more likely to develop the disease, "but that is the goal," they say.

BUSTIN SAYS: "IN THE FUTURE IS TO DETECT THE DISEASE USING THESE METHODS NON-INVASIVE".


In search of the cure


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Scientific meeting - which is expected to attract nearly 4,500 researchers from around the world - is to deal with the current problem. More than 5 million people living with the disease of Alzheimer's in the United States, a number that is expected to increase to 13.5 million by 2050.

Alzheimer's researchers say that United States should intensify the search for a cure or treatments until the costs of care, and the federal Government, begin to soar. A step forward means finding ways to diagnose the disease, especially in its early stages better before symptoms appear. And it is also likely that involves a multi-pronged approach.

Among other presentations, neurologists at the New York University School of medicine presented data from a new class of drugs that target the misfolded proteins, a biological phenomenon that is common to several neurodegenerative diseases.

Fernando Goñi, Professor in the Department of Neurology of the University of New York, said the new data suggest a kind of monoclonal antibodies that are in proteins as the beta amyloid and tau - both of which are distinctive features of Alzheimer's disease - deformed, as well as abnormal proteins that are found in people with Parkinson's disease or Lewy body dementia.

Ineco specialist explains: "they are working with antibodies specifically to remove certain proteins that accumulate in the brain. These treatments did function but the symptoms of the disease did not improve because the damage was already done. Why the focus is treat them before they appear, "says Julián Bustin. "In Colombia, it is conducting a study in people who have genetic Alzheimer's to give antibodies before the symptoms and remove substances. It is believed that these substances are beginning to use in the brain between 10 and 20 years before the symptoms. Also, there are people who have it and never develop it".

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