Alzheimer’s Test Can Determine Presence of Disease, Before Dementia Symptoms Appear
A new study provides additional evidence that a biomarker test can be used to reliably determine an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.
(Media-Newswire.com) - A new study provides additional evidence that a biomarker test can be used to reliably determine an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.
The diagnostic biomarker test is able to detect the presence of known Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers found in cerebral spinal fluid ( CSF ). The ‘signature’ combination of Alzheimer’s disease indicators were found in 90 percent of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
With a 5-year follow up, the study was able to predict 100 percent of patients with mild cognitive impairment who progressed to full blown Alzheimer’s disease.
The test also found that 72 percent of people with mild cognitive impairment and 36 percent of cognitively normal adults showed early signs of Alzheimer’s pathology, suggesting that Alzheimer’s disease pathology is active and detectable earlier than previously thought.
The study appears in the latest issue of the Archives of Neurology, a JAMA/Archives journal. The study was conducted by team of researchers using research from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative ( ADNI ) Biomarker Core group, which is co-directed by John Q. Trojanowski, MD, PhD, Co-director, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research and Leslie M. Shaw, PhD, professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, both at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
For additiona information, see:
JAMA/Archives press release CBS Evening News story Philadelphia Inquirer story New York Times story
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Penn Medicine is one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine ( founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school ) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $3.6 billion enterprise.
Penn’s School of Medicine is currently ranked #2 in U.S. News & World Report’s survey of research-oriented medical schools, and is consistently among the nation’s top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $367.2 million awarded in the 2008 fiscal year.
Penn Medicine’s patient care facilities include:
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania – the nation’s first teaching hospital, recognized as one of the nation’s top 10 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Penn Presbyterian Medical Center – named one of the top 100 hospitals for cardiovascular care by Thomson Reuters for six years. Pennsylvania Hospital – the nation’s first hospital, founded in 1751, nationally recognized for excellence in orthopaedics, obstetrics & gynecology, and behavioral health. Additional patient care facilities and services include Penn Medicine at Rittenhouse, a Philadelphia campus offering inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient care in many specialties; as well as a primary care provider network; a faculty practice plan; home care and hospice services; and several multispecialty outpatient facilities across the Philadelphia region.
Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2009, Penn Medicine provided $733.5 million to benefit our community.
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This story was released on 2010-08-13. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.