Blood test can now detect Alzheimer's

Scientists in the UK have developed a blood test to detect Alzheimer's, which is 90 per cent accurate, and is expected to start trials by the end of the year.

The breakthrough will enable the doctors to diagnose the disease before any symptoms appear, allowing an early treatment.

Till now doctors have generally relied on a patient complaining of a failing memory to detect Alzheimer's, but the new blood test will now enable them to diagnose the disease before any symptoms appear, allowing for an earlier treatment.

"An accurate blood test for Alzheimer's would be a major step forward - it would mean current and future treatments could be given before the brain is too damaged", the Daily Mail quoted Rebecca Wood, of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, as saying.

Researchers, who found a cluster of proteins in the blood, linked them to the disease to develop the blood test.

Scientists at the Norwegian biotechnology company DiaGenic ASA used this to develop a blood test to distinguish those with Alzheimer's from healthy patients and those with Parkinson's, which can have similar early symptoms.

High-risk patients could also be offered regular tests in later life.