Scientists have discovered a potential breakthrough in early Alzheimer’s detection that could explain why women face higher risks of developing the disease. The research, published in Molecular Psychiatry, reveals that tracking two naturally occurring molecules in blood samples might offer a simpler way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and monitor its progression.
A New Window into Brain Health
“Our findings offer the strongest evidence to date that decreased blood levels of acetyl-L-carnitine and free carnitine could act as blood biomarkers for identifying those who have Alzheimer’s disease, and potentially those who are at greater risk of developing early dementia,” explains Betty Bigio, PhD, research assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and lead investigator of the study.
Sex Differences in Disease Progression
The study found that blood levels of these molecules declined differently in women and men. While both sexes showed decreased levels of acetyl-L-carnitine, only women exhibited steady declines in free carnitine that corresponded to their degree of cognitive decline.
“The results also might explain the differences by sex in Alzheimer’s disease, with more women than men having dementia,” Bigio notes, addressing a long-standing mystery in Alzheimer’s research.
Improving Diagnosis Accuracy
“Because declines in acetyl-L-carnitine and free carnitine tracked closely with the severity of Alzheimer’s disease, the molecular pathways involved in their production offer other possible therapeutic targets for getting at the root cause of the disease and potentially intervening before permanent brain damage occurs,” says senior study investigator Carla Nasca, PhD, assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Toward a Less Invasive Test
The research involved 125 participants across two independent study groups in Brazil and California, including both healthy individuals and those with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. The accuracy in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease rose to 93% when combining these blood measurements with traditional spinal fluid tests.
This advancement could lead to a simpler, less invasive way to diagnose and monitor Alzheimer’s disease progression. Currently, doctors often rely on spinal taps, which can be painful and carry risks of infection.
Future Implications
The findings could revolutionize how doctors diagnose and track Alzheimer’s disease progression. A blood test based on these molecules could provide an objective measure of disease severity, complementing existing cognitive assessments. It might also help evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments being developed to prevent or slow the disease.
The research was supported by multiple organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, and involved collaboration among scientists from NYU Langone Health, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rockefeller University, Duke University, and the University of California Irvine.
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