Researchers Develop Test for Alzheimer’s

PALO ALTO, Calif. – Researchers at Stanford University say they have developed a potentially pathbreaking blood test that could help to identify patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

According to a paper published in the online edition of the British journal Nature Medicine, preliminary studies by a team of scientists led by a Stanford neurology professor show the test is yielding promising results in predicting which patients with mild memory loss are at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

In one experiment the test was positive for Alzheimer’s disease in 38 out of 42 patients who had been independently diagnosed as having the disease.

Although the studies are considered small, researchers say the results are promising.

The test initially will be used in research labs, where scientists are trying to learn more about the Alzheimer’s.

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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle