Scientists have identified 32 proteins that indicate a potential risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists have identified 32 proteins that indicate a potential risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Blood Markers May Predict Alzheimer’s Disease Years in Advance

Alzheimer’s disease

It’s not easy to predict who will develop Alzheimer’s disease, but a recent study suggests that certain markers in the blood could indicate an elevated risk of dementia, even 10 to 20 years before symptoms appear 1. This exciting finding may pave the way for early detection and better therapeutic interventions.

The study involved the analysis of over 4,800 proteins in the blood of more than 10,000 middle-aged individuals over a span of 25 years 2. Researchers identified 32 proteins that were associated with an increased risk of dementia later in life 3. Interestingly, these biological changes occur outside the brain, during middle adulthood, even in those with only a future risk of developing dementia 4. By understanding these specific biological processes, there is hope for discovering new therapeutic interventions to prevent or slow down Alzheimer’s disease 5.

While some of these markers were found in the brain, others were present in tissues outside the brain, such as those related to immune system function and protein production and regulation 6. In fact, these changes were evident up to 20 years before dementia onset 7. The dysregulation of proteins associated with coagulation, or blood clot development, and the complement signaling pathway, which includes proteins forming beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, were observed later in the disease process 8. Coagulation has been linked to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, while beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles are hallmarks of the disease in the brain 9.

Age remains the most significant risk factor for dementia, but other factors, such as the presence of heart disease, also play a role 10. However, the identification of these blood markers has the potential to enhance our ability to predict Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias 11. Though no single biomarker can definitively indicate the development of Alzheimer’s disease, combining multiple biomarkers can improve diagnostic accuracy 12.

This study, published in Science Translational Medicine, marks a crucial milestone in Alzheimer’s research. It sheds light on the potential of blood markers to detect the progression to dementia in midlife, serving as a critical tool for early detection and accurate diagnosis 13. By combining the findings from this study with other resources and conducting further research, healthcare professionals hope to refine and enhance the diagnostic tools available for Alzheimer’s disease in the future.

Dr. Percy Griffin, the director of scientific engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, emphasizes the importance of these findings for early detection. He notes that it is essential to find tools that can accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s and other dementias before symptoms become evident 14. Through the identification of blood markers, we can potentially improve our ability to identify those at risk in midlife, enabling early interventions and treatments 15.

Dr. Howard Fillit, co-founder and chief science officer of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, reflects on the remarkable advancements in Alzheimer’s research. The advent of proteomics, the large-scale study of proteins, has revolutionized our ability to analyze thousands of proteins simultaneously 16. In the past, scientists could only examine a limited number of proteins 17. This breakthrough allows for greater precision and accuracy in predicting the risk of Alzheimer’s disease 18. Dr. Fillit underscores the significance of these recent developments, including the FDA approval of a disease-modifying drug, Leqembi, with the potential to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s by reducing amyloid plaques in the brain 19.

Exciting times are indeed ahead in the field of Alzheimer’s research. The discovery of blood markers and the development of therapeutic interventions pave the way for earlier detection, better management, and improved outcomes for individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Sources:

Learn more about the risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease at the Alzheimer’s Association website.

  1. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  2. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  3. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  4. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  5. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  6. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  7. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  8. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  9. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  10. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  11. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  12. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  13. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  14. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  15. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  16. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  17. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  18. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

  19. Keenan Walker, PhD, investigator, Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, U.S. National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder, chief science officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, New York City; Science Translational Medicine, July 19, 2023↩︎

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