New Breakthrough In Alzheimers Detection

Scientists have offered new hope to victims of Alzheimer’s disease with the discovery of a drug that can predict the condition before it develops.

Researchers from Banner Sun Health Research Institute in Arizona have discovered a drug that can highlight 'plaques' - sticky clumps of a protein called beta amyloid - in the brain years before they cause memory and thinking problems.
Given that Alzheimer’s cannot be detected at present until a sufferer is dead and an autopsy is carried out, the discovery could be hugely significant.
The important breakthrough was presented at  the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting in New Orleans and was based on a major study at the Banner Institute.


Scientists there injected 200 elderly people, some of whom were suffering from dementia, with the drug, called florbetaben. They then conducted a series of PET and MRI scans to detect the levels of the beta amyloid. The theory was that this could be an indicator of dementia.
Over a period of time they then compared the levels in a group of 31 of the test group who died. Some of them were suffering from dementia but others were not. Autopsies of those who died showed that the florbetaben had correctly diagnosed 77 per cent of the positive diagnosis and 94 per cent of the negative.

Study leader Dr Marwan Sabbagh, said: 'This is an easy, non-invasive way to assist an Alzheimer's diagnosis at an early stage.'

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. Among the high profile victims of the diseas is the author Terry Pratchett, writer of the hugely popular Discworld books (pictured below).

According to one study conducted by  the World Health Organisation, it is forecast that the number of people suffering dementia will double by 2030 reaching a staggering 65.7 million people. 

Dr Anne Corbett of the Alzheimer's Society said: 'Finding ways to increase the number of early and accurate diagnoses is essential if we are to ensure people have access to vital treatments, support and information. Yet at the moment, only 43 per cent of people with the condition ever get a diagnosis, meaning hundreds of thousands of people are left struggling alone in the dark.

This drug research looks positive but was carried out in people with later stage Alzheimer's. We will need to see if it can be converted into a useable and cost effective diagnostic tool to detect very early signs.'