Breakthrough Blood Test Predicts Rapid Development of Severe Alzheimer’s Worldwide

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A straightforward blood test can indicate which patients will quickly progress to advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study released today.

Pinpointing individuals with mild cognitive impairment who are at risk of experiencing a rapid deterioration could enable them to join clinical trials and obtain additional assistance, according to researchers.

Neurologists evaluated 315 nondiabetic individuals experiencing cognitive impairments, which included 200 cases of Alzheimer’s disease, for their level of insulin resistance—a hormone crucial for controlling blood sugar. The evaluation utilized the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index as a measure.

Among people with mild cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer's disease, those who had the highest TyG scores experienced a decline four times quicker during the three-year monitoring period compared to those with lower TyG levels.

Scientists propose that insulin resistance, which is already associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease, might speed up its progression by hindering glucose absorption in the brain, fostering inflammation, and damaging the blood-brain barrier.

It could also lead to the accumulation of amyloid, a harmful protein, in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers from the University of Brescia in Italy discovered that elevated TyG levels were linked to disruptions in the blood-brain barrier as well as various cardiovascular risk factors.

However, they discovered no connection between elevated TyG levels and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Their research will be unveiled today at the European Academy of Neurology Congress in Helsinki.

Dr. Bianca Gumina, the lead researcher, stated: "After diagnosing mild cognitive impairment, families often inquire about the speed at which it will worsen."

'Our findings indicate that a basic metabolic indicator present in all hospital laboratories could assist in identifying more susceptible individuals who might be appropriate candidates for tailored therapies or particular intervention methods.'

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