By TODD ACKERMAN Houston Chronicle
Texas scientists are on the verge of developing a blood test to identify patients with Alzheimer's disease, a potential breakthrough on the difficult-to-diagnose ailment.
The test, details of which were presented at an international conference on Alzheimer's in Hawaii this month, would give nonspecialists who often have trouble diagnosing the disease a tool to catch it earlier and make a referral when its progression can still be slowed.
"If it's confirmed, this test will offer millions of geriatric patients across the country and the planet the opportunity at least to be screened annually," said Dr. Sid O'Bryant, a professor of neurology at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and the lead investigator of the study.
The study was the product of the Texas Alzheimer's Research Consortium, a Legislature-created collaboration that includes Baylor, Texas Tech, UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth.
The test, which measures a mix of more than 100 blood proteins, accurately classified those participants who had the disease and those who didn't 95 percent of the time. Blood samples were taken from about 600 people, split between those with and without the disease.
Many research teams are pursuing such a diagnostic tool, but Baylor College of Medicine team member Dr. Rachelle Doody said the Texas research is the most comprehensive and furthest along.
Doody said the study needs to be replicated.
More than 5 million Americans have the degenerative brain disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association, and experts predict the number will double over the next 15 years as baby boomers age. Texas has 340,000 people with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.