Scientists were looking for a safe but effective way to predict Alzheimer's disease (AD). As part of the new
Previous studies have shown thatGlycans—polysaccharides or oligosaccharides, polymers consisting of monosaccharide units linked by O-glycosidic bonds—found in the cerebrospinal fluid are possibly associated with the presence of tau proteins in the body. High levels of abnormal protein in the brain are one of the main markers of neurodegenerative disease.
Now scientists have discovered that glycans, moleculessugar-based proteins that coat proteins are also present in the blood of those who may develop AD. Combining this information with a genetic analysis and a memory test, they predicted the onset of Alzheimer's disease with 80% accuracy 10 years before the onset of symptoms of memory loss.
“The role of glycans, structures consisting of moleculessugar, is a relatively unexplored area in dementia research. We have shown that glycan levels in the blood change during the early stages of disease development. This means that we can predict the risk of Alzheimer's disease only with the help of a blood test and a memory test,” explains Robin Zhou, a medical student and first author of the study from the University of Carolina.
When processing data, the research teamstudied blood samples collected between 2001 and 2004 from 233 people taking part in the Swedish National Aging Study. Monitoring for signs of dementia and memory loss was carried out every three to six years for a total of 17 years. Now scientists are working on applying the protocol in practice in a clinical setting.
The study was published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia.
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