DALLAS: A ”striking” discovery by University of Otago researchers could pave the way for Alzheimer’s to be diagnosed by a simple blood test.
The researchers have discovered a promising new marker among a small number of molecules, within a larger class of molecules called microRNA.
The marker molecules, found both in the human brain and blood, were ‘‘exceptionally good” at detecting Alzheimer’s, the researchers said.
A member of the Otago team, biochemist Prof Warren Tate, said Health Research Council program funding had been crucial in gaining the ‘‘promising” diagnostic results.
And researchers were seeking further funding, which would be critical in continuing the work.
Further research is needed to confirm and further clarify aspects of the earlier testing work, and, if the results can be confirmed and further clarified, it is understood that a blood test could becomeavailable about five years after that.