"Predicting Dementia: Early Blood Test Identifies Risk 15 Years in Advance"

Researchers have identified potential early warning signs of dementia by analyzing minute differences in the levels of specific proteins in blood, which could lead to significant implications for screening and early intervention. A study comparing plasma proteins in adults without dementia revealed common changes in the blood serum of those who later developed dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Four specific proteins - GFAP, NEFL, GDF15, and LTBP2 - were consistently present in the plasma of patients who would be diagnosed with dementia. Higher levels of GFAP were associated with a 2.32 times higher likelihood of developing dementia, and changes in GFAP and NEFL levels were detected up to a decade before the onset of clear symptoms. This research could lead to the development of a simple blood test for predicting dementia risk, allowing for early interventions to slow down the disease's progress.