Dementia diagnosis can be tricky, but bloodtests could help predict it years earlier

In the largest study of its kind, scientists have discovered that a blood test detecting specific proteins could predict dementia up to 15 years before a person receives an official diagnosis. The researchers found 11 proteins that have a

remarkable 90% accuracy in predicting future dementia.

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. Over 900,000 people in the UK are living with the memory-robbing condition, yet less than two-thirds of people receive a formal diagnosis. Diagnosing dementia is tricky and relies on various methods.

These include lumbar punctures (to look for certain tell-tale proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid), PET scans and memory tests. These methods are invasive,time-consuming and expensive, putting a heavy burden on the National Health Service.

This means that many people are only diagnosed when they have memory and cognitive problems. By this point, the dementia may have been progressing for years and any support or health plan may be too late.

Those with undiagnosed dementia, and their families, cannot attend clinical trials, have an organised healthcare plan or access essential support. So improving dementia diagnosis would provide earlier support and give patients a longer, healthier and more prosperous life.

In this latest study, researchers at the University of Warwick in England and Fudan University in China examined blood samples from 52,645 healthy volunteers from the UK Biobank genetic database between 2006 and 2010. Over the ten- to 15-year follow-up period, around 1,400 developed dementia.

The researchers used artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyse 1,463 proteins in the blood. They identified 11 proteins associated with dementia, of which four could predict dementia up to 15 years before a clinical diagnosis.

When combining this data with more regular risk factors of age, sex, education and genetics, the dementia prediction rate was around 90%.

These proteins found in the plasma (the liquid component of blood) are biological markers for the changes that occur in dementia sufferers over a decade before clinical symptoms first appear. They act as warning signs of the disease.

Why these proteins

The four proteins most strongly associated with all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (accounting for 70% of all dementias) and vascular dementia (accounting for 20%) are GFAP, NEFL, GDF15 and LTBP2.

Scientists showed GFAP to be the best “biomarker” for predicting dementia. GFAP’s function is to support nerve cells called astrocytes.

A symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is inflammation, and this causes astrocytes to make a lot of GFAP. Consequently, people with dementia display increased inflammation, resulting in higher levels of GFAP, making it a prominent biomarker.

The study showed that people with higher GFAP were more than twice as likely to develop dementia as people with low levels. Smaller studies have also identified GFAP to be a potential marker for dementia.

NEFL is the second protein that is most strongly associated with dementia risk. This protein relates to nerve fibre damage. Combining NEFL or GFAP with demographic data and cognitive tests significantly improves the accuracy of dementia prediction.

Proteins GD15 and LTBP2, both involved in inflammation, cell growth and death, and cellular stress, are also strongly linked to increased dementia risk.

But despite the study’s discovery, other scientists warn that the new biomarkers require further validation before they can be used as a screening tool.

The bigger picture

Other initiatives are also promoting the adoption of blood tests as a widespread screening method in diagnosing dementia, including the Blood Biomarker Challenge, a five-year project aiming to use NHS blood tests to diagnose diseases that lead to dementia by looking at traces of brain proteins leaked into the bloodstream.

The exciting advent of new dementia drugs such as  lecanemab  and  donanemab, not yet approved for use in the UK, has the potential to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Patients seeking lecanemab or donanemab treatment would require an early-stage diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Research UK estimates that only 2% of patients undergo such diagnostic testing.

The study shows that blood tests are an effective way to detect dementia early by identifying specific proteins, providing the patient with the best possible opportunity to receive life-changing treatment.

Early diagnosis of dementia would result in a more effective treatment. A simple blood test has the potential to replace the costly, time-consuming and invasive tests currently used for dementia patients, ultimately improving the quality of many lives.

Source:

https://scroll.in/article/1064141/dementia-diagnosis-can-be-tricky-but-blood-

tests-could-help-predict-it-years-before

Fun and frolic at Taki

The much-awaited trip to Taki along with the members of Porosh was organized between February 10-11,2024 at Hotel Sonar Bangla. It is one of the events that the elderly members look forward to eagerly every year. Although it was a day-

long outing last year to the ‘Nihar-on-Ganges’ (Sodepur) yet for this year an overnight stay on popular demand was arranged. Children of a few members had

also joined us to make the event all the more special.

The journey to Taki from Ruby took us barely a couple of hours and lo & behold,

we arrived at the Indo-Bangladesh border on the banks of river Ichhamati! The Sonar Bangla, Taki is indeed beautiful with well-maintained lawns, swimming pool and Irish-themed cottages dotting the property.

The first attraction for the members were the rooms in the first floor which overlooked the river and the Khulna Division of Bangladesh to the east. However, a still bigger surprise for us were a wide array of Bengali cuisine which included sorse begun, katla machh with peyajkoli, chicken dak bangalow etc. After a hearty meal most of the members took rest before converging at the banquet hall for the evening program.

After having tea/ coffee around 6.30 pm, the inaugural speech was delivered by Mrs.Paushali Chakraborty (Director). Once she shared her thoughts on mental wellness in a witty manner which only she can, the members were invited to share their memories, recite poems, singing songs and even dancing. Infact, one of the members even recited a self-written poem in the memory of Mirabai! In between snacks comprising succulent fish fry, paneer tikka etc were served.

Subsequently, a couple of games were played of which one was the ever-popular ‘passing-the-parcel’. The fun and frolic involving the game was infectious. The hall was suddenly filled with laughter and energy. Crowd cheered for the winners after every round and also extended sympathy to those who lost. Finally, the winners and runners-up from two teams received gifts. However, the non-participants were not left behind either. All of them received gifts including the attendants who had accompanied some of the members.

Dinner was served by 9.30 pm alongside a generous dose of quintessential adda. By 10.30 pm most of us had retired for the day.

Next day was a new beginning with a touch of melancholy though. After all the fun and excitement of the previous evening, we sauntered to the banquet hall for breakfast. A few were over-heard saying, “Ish, arek din thakle bhalo hoto.” After we checked-out, it was photoshoot time and the overwhelming request has been to plan a two-day outing early next year.

Needless to add, Porosh had arranged for an ambulance for emergency and an empanelled doctor joined us as well.

Annual picnic at Jungle Tent

The annual picnic of Team Porosh was organized on January 28 th at the Jungle Tent (off Basanti Highway). No sooner the momentum of the event started building-up than the plans were discussed in the WhatsApp group about the activities to be participated in. As one would have expected, the day’s events were heavily loaded in favour of outdoor sports like soccer and cricket. Badminton too was included.

On the given day we left for the destination at 8.30 am from Tollyginge. On the way, team members were picked-up. Till we reached the venue which was around 10 am, Bangla and Bhojpuri songs were played by turn. Thus, the tone for a day of fun and frolic was set into motion even before we alighted from the Traveller.

Having set our feet in Jungle Tent we were awestruck at the lush green lawns,

beautiful gardens, flower beds, pond, a small playground and of course, various

games akin to the ones which we see in films pertaining to commando training e.g.

rope climbing.

After treating ourselves to a hearty breakfast comprising luchi, chholar dal, alu’r dam and rosogolla a few among us were busy taking photographs while the rest were busy exploring various commando-like drills and of course sports activities.

After almost two hours of various outdoor activities must of us took shelter under the trees and then started adda which was essentially about pulling each other’s

leg. Before heading for lunch we retired to the rooms which were booked in Porosh’s name.

The menu for lunch was quite elaborate. Important to note that fish, chicken and mutton were cook and served in home-made style. There were also a few guests

who had come from other parts of the country.

Post lunch it was siesta time between 3 pm to 4 pm before we spent one more hour playing cricket and soccer. By 5.30 pm we departed but not before having chai and chicken pakora.

It was a day well spent. For most of us it is the only day in the entire year when we come together and get an opportunity to unwind ourselves through outdoor recreational activities.