A breakthrough in Alzheimer’s disease detection has been made possible by scientists who have designed a way to detect the early stages of neurofibrillary tangles, a key hallmark of the disease. These irregular clumps of protein are closely associated with disease progression and can disrupt brain cell function.
The researchers focused on two main protein structures: amyloid-beta and tau. Amyloid-beta plaques disrupt brain cell function, while hyperphosphorylated tau forms neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that cause cells to die. The new study identified a pivotal stage of NFT development and phosphorylation sites that can predict future NFT production, making them potential biomarkers for early disease detection.
The test identifies very early stages of tau tangle formation up to a decade before any visible signs on a brain scan. This allows doctors to start treatments and make lifestyle changes sooner, potentially slowing the disease’s progress.
However, experts highlight important limitations and caveats, including the need for robust counseling and education to ensure people understand the test’s limitations. They also emphasize that biomarkers do not diagnose dementia but rather predict its risk.
The study is a step forward in understanding Alzheimer’s disease, but further research is needed to determine whether it can be translated into clinical practice.
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/new-biomarker-test-may-detect-alzheimers-years-before-tau-clumps-show-up-scans