Japanese scientists develop new test method for Alzheimer’s
Two groups of Japanese scientists have developed a method to detect Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages.
The joint project was carried out by scientists at the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology and an institute led by the Nobel Chemistry Prize winner, Koichi Tanaka.
More than 10 years ago, scientists discovered Alzheimer’s patients have a build-up of a substance called beta-amyloid in their brains.
But diagnosis required PET imaging scanning and chemical agents, making early detection difficult.
The Japanese teams conducted blood tests on more than 60 elderly subjects. They discovered those with beta-amyloid in their brains also had an increase in the amount of the peptide APP669-711 in their blood.
Source: News On Japan
Published: 11 Nov 2014
Category: Features, Technology & Devices