Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease
The Alzheimer’s Association calculates that more than 5 million American are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. It is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, killing an estimated 500,000 people each year. However, diagnosis is difficult since many of these patients are not symptomatic. Currently, the available medical technology cannot diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in its earliest non-symptomatic stages. There is a company trialing a new Alzheimer’s disease test for early detection.
A New Diagnostic Test
One of the most challenging aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease is actually diagnosing the condition. Cognitive disorders can take many forms, and some of them can be mistaken for Alzheimer’s. However, an Israeli biotechnology firm, NeuroQuest, aims to improve on the diagnostic methods for the disease with a new test that it is currently making its way through clinical trials. The company says that its test could be used for early detection of Alzheimer’s, according to the Jewish Press.
Current Test
The standard test for detecting Alzheimer’s disease is a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. However, this is an expensive test that identifies the plaque in the brain. As such, this is indicative of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
How It Works
NeuroQuest is developing its technology that is a less expensive and less invasive alternative. They test biomarkers in the blood for molecular signatures that indicate a disease. The company says that the test was 87 percent accurate in clinical trials in Israel in detecting Alzheimer’s disease. It also diagnosed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
NeuroQuest still needs to prove its technology in further human tests. To that end, the company will be conducting U.S. clinical trials in 2016 and 2017. Moreover, the company has already entered into a service agreement with the University of California, San Diego to collect and process 700 blood samples for the trials.
Alzheimer’s Disease Test For Early Detection Means Early Intervention
If the NeuroQuest Alzheimer’s diagnostic wins the approval of the Food and Drug Administration, the technology could offer means for earlier detection of Alzheimer’s disease. Most important is could mean earlier treatment for the condition. In this case, the NeuroQuest diagnostic is conducting clinical trials, which could take years. However, the potential for this new technology is very promising.
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