A new breakthrough in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease has been made with the addition of a blood test to the diagnostic criteria of the International Alzheimer’s Association. This test, along with spinal fluid tests already being performed in several hospitals in Israel, aims to diagnose the disease as early as possible, even before symptoms appear.
Alzheimer’s disease affects around 120,000 people in Israel and causes memory loss, deterioration in mental function and damage to cognitive abilities. Patients may also experience hypervigilance, hallucinations and insomnia. Currently, diagnosis is based on symptoms and some hospitals are incorporating tests for disease proteins in spinal fluid into the diagnostic process.
In the USA, a new blood test has been approved for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease based on the presence of specific proteins in the blood. This test is now being performed in some hospitals in Israel as well. The international recommendations for diagnosis through this blood test have been added to the criteria for diagnosing the disease, marking a significant step forward in improving treatment for patients.
Professionals believe that early diagnosis through accurate blood tests could revolutionize treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. With ability to detect it years before symptoms appear, individuals may have opportunity to receive early treatment or make lifestyle changes that could help slow progression of the disease. This shift towards more accurate diagnosis based on biomarkers is viewed as major advancement