World-first test could detect Alzheimer’s 30 years in advance

Australian and Japanese scientists have developed the world’s first blood test that has the potential to accurately identify people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease up to 30 years in advance.

As reported in The Age, the discovery could rapidly speed up the progress of clinical drug trials to treat the disease and could eventually form the basis for routinely screening for and diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.

Professor Colin Masters (above), co-author of the study at the Florey Institute from the University of Melbourne told Ross and John drug trials can now begin – but under 50s aren’t eligible.

“We know that people after the age of 50 begin to deposit this protein in the brain which we can pick up in this blood test,” Professer Masters said.

“We’re now recruiting for these trials, for individuals in their 70s who are cognitively normal but want to learn more about their risk of developing Alzheimer’s.”

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