Blood test to detect Alzheimer's

[Sugar]

New blood test to detect Alzheimer's

American scientists have found a simple blood test that could help detect the debilitating Alzheimer's disease in the near future.

According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this blood test provides physicians with valuable information about an individual's predisposition to developing dementia and memory loss.

The study shows that plasma levels of a certain peptide known as Amyloid Beta 42 (AB42) increase prior to the onset of AD and decline shortly after symptoms present themselves.

Findings revealed that individuals with higher ABeta42 levels are three times more prone to developing the condition.

The Columbia research group claimed that AB blood levels could be used as a reliable indicator for predicting the onset of Alzheimer's prior to the development of symptoms. Early detection might help prevent or tackle the disease. LINK (http://www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=68941&sectionid=3510210)


This is good news...We need to know these things so we can get on some good meds early, before it is too late. Me? I would take this test, cause I had an Aunt with it and it hit her hard and she went down real fast. For others it is much slower to the point it wears down both the caretaker and the one sick.

Would you want to know?

[Scarlett O'hara]

Both my mother and granmother had it.............I'm kinda scared to take the test..........

[Sugar]

G'morning Scarlett, I would take it even more, cause they do have meds to slow the progression. I hate that happen to your Mon and Grandmother it is always so sad to see those you love become helpless and confused. I had several Alzheimer patents it was not a fun visit. Both always wanted to go home. The families would get upset and try to reason with them...which, never worked in fact it just made them more agitated.

You still got time to think on it, as it is still in beta form I guess you could call it.

Happy Day!

[threekidspa]

So, assuming you have the test, can you change the eventual outcome? If there is a treatment for the disease that only works if you do it before the onset of the disease, then I'd be inclined to do it.

On the other hand, if all it tells you is you're probably going to get it, but there's still nothing to be done except treat the symptoms, then I'd probably not take it. I'd spend the rest of my life wondering when the axe would fall. Not to mention what would happen to my insurance once they found out about it (which you'd be expected to disclose).

[Fotno]

This is a horrible disease no doubt.

[Sugar]

My understanding is that Alzheimer destroys the brain cells and by taking the meds you can slow down this destroying process. No there is no cure.

[Scarlett O'hara]

I guess ya'll don't havta wonder what's wrong with my brain any longer.......

[TheCapitalist]

Good point on the insurance, TKP.

My grandmother had it. Watching my dad progress now. He just started some meds to try and slow it. I hate that disease. Hard to watch someone slowly slip away.

[Sugar]

I hate that for you Cap.