The last time we discussed Alzheimer's, we learned that cell-phones may hold a key towards preventing the dread disease. Now comes word that we may be closer to predicting whether or not we're at risk for it:
"A simple blood test to predict Alzheimer's disease up to 10 years before symptoms appear could be developed after researchers found high levels of a protein can be an early sign of the condition."
Apparently, a protein called "clusterin" may exhibit higher than normal levels many years before the actual onset of symptoms, which could enable doc's to begin early treatment to minimize the disease's impact down the road.
Of course, there's are moral considerations, as well:
"The ethics of any blood test to identify those in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease would need to be examined carefully as there is no cure for the condition."
That's not necessarily an easy call to make, since you can't unhear the news.
What do you think?
"A simple blood test to predict Alzheimer's disease up to 10 years before symptoms appear could be developed after researchers found high levels of a protein can be an early sign of the condition."
Apparently, a protein called "clusterin" may exhibit higher than normal levels many years before the actual onset of symptoms, which could enable doc's to begin early treatment to minimize the disease's impact down the road.
Of course, there's are moral considerations, as well:
"The ethics of any blood test to identify those in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease would need to be examined carefully as there is no cure for the condition."
That's not necessarily an easy call to make, since you can't unhear the news.
What do you think?
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