Study finds correlation between amyloid blood levels and brain changes in Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Florida has discovered a potential link between abnormal blood levels of amyloid, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease, and subtle changes in brain microstructures detected through a specialized MRI scan. This groundbreaking finding could pave the way for a new method to detect Alzheimer's at an earlier stage in individuals who show no clinical signs of the disease.
The study analyzed data from 128 participants, both with and without dementia, who underwent imaging scans using positron emission tomography (PET) to detect amyloid plaques in the brain, a key characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. Interestingly, even in cases where a PET scan did not show amyloid plaques and participants did not exhibit dementia symptoms, the researchers found a correlation between abnormal levels of amyloid in the blood and structural abnormalities in the brain identified through a newer imaging technique known as diffusion MRI or "free-water" imaging.
Led by experts from UF's Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute and the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, the research team reported that the results indicate that free-water imaging is sensitive to early signs of decline in brain tissue and minute structures in critical brain regions, even in cases where a PET scan does not detect amyloid plaques. This novel discovery was published in the prestigious journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
Senior author of the study, Dr. David Vaillancourt, highlighted the significance of the findings, suggesting that events may be taking place in both the blood and the brain before amyloid positivity can be detected in PET scans. Blood levels of amyloid were measured using Quest AD-Detect amyloid beta 42/40, a plasma blood test developed by Quest Diagnostics to evaluate the risk of Alzheimer's pathology. Collaboration with researchers from the University of Miami and Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach enabled the analysis of diffusion MRI results, indicating the amount of free-water in the brain.
Free-water in the brain is influenced by two main factors: atrophy, which occurs during cell death, and inflammation. This study builds upon previous research by Vaillancourt's lab, which identified free-water imaging as a reliable, noninvasive biomarker for Parkinson's disease. Participants who tested positive for amyloid in blood but negative on PET scans exhibited brain changes on diffusion MRI, including reduced cortical volume and thickness, increased free-water in various brain regions, and decreased tissue microstructure compared to those with negative amyloid blood tests and PET scans.
Currently, diagnosing Alzheimer's disease involves a combination of medical history assessment, neurological exams, cognitive evaluations, and various tests including brain imaging and spinal taps. Discovering new methods and biomarkers to detect the disease earlier and more affordably could facilitate the initiation of clinical trials for experimental drugs aimed at slowing or preventing Alzheimer's and intervening sooner with existing medications.
The next phase of research will involve tracking participants over time to observe if those with positive amyloid blood tests eventually test positive on PET scans, monitor changes in free-water and blood levels, and assess how these changes correlate with cognitive symptoms and the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. This longitudinal study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the progression of Alzheimer's disease and the potential impact of these early detection methods.
In conclusion, this study represents a significant advancement in Alzheimer's research, offering new insights into the early detection of the disease and paving the way for future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The findings underscore the importance of exploring alternative biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases and highlight the potential of free-water imaging as a valuable tool in detecting early brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036789
The study analyzed data from 128 participants, both with and without dementia, who underwent imaging scans using positron emission tomography (PET) to detect amyloid plaques in the brain, a key characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. Interestingly, even in cases where a PET scan did not show amyloid plaques and participants did not exhibit dementia symptoms, the researchers found a correlation between abnormal levels of amyloid in the blood and structural abnormalities in the brain identified through a newer imaging technique known as diffusion MRI or "free-water" imaging.
Led by experts from UF's Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute and the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, the research team reported that the results indicate that free-water imaging is sensitive to early signs of decline in brain tissue and minute structures in critical brain regions, even in cases where a PET scan does not detect amyloid plaques. This novel discovery was published in the prestigious journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
Senior author of the study, Dr. David Vaillancourt, highlighted the significance of the findings, suggesting that events may be taking place in both the blood and the brain before amyloid positivity can be detected in PET scans. Blood levels of amyloid were measured using Quest AD-Detect amyloid beta 42/40, a plasma blood test developed by Quest Diagnostics to evaluate the risk of Alzheimer's pathology. Collaboration with researchers from the University of Miami and Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach enabled the analysis of diffusion MRI results, indicating the amount of free-water in the brain.
Free-water in the brain is influenced by two main factors: atrophy, which occurs during cell death, and inflammation. This study builds upon previous research by Vaillancourt's lab, which identified free-water imaging as a reliable, noninvasive biomarker for Parkinson's disease. Participants who tested positive for amyloid in blood but negative on PET scans exhibited brain changes on diffusion MRI, including reduced cortical volume and thickness, increased free-water in various brain regions, and decreased tissue microstructure compared to those with negative amyloid blood tests and PET scans.
Currently, diagnosing Alzheimer's disease involves a combination of medical history assessment, neurological exams, cognitive evaluations, and various tests including brain imaging and spinal taps. Discovering new methods and biomarkers to detect the disease earlier and more affordably could facilitate the initiation of clinical trials for experimental drugs aimed at slowing or preventing Alzheimer's and intervening sooner with existing medications.
The next phase of research will involve tracking participants over time to observe if those with positive amyloid blood tests eventually test positive on PET scans, monitor changes in free-water and blood levels, and assess how these changes correlate with cognitive symptoms and the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. This longitudinal study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the progression of Alzheimer's disease and the potential impact of these early detection methods.
In conclusion, this study represents a significant advancement in Alzheimer's research, offering new insights into the early detection of the disease and paving the way for future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The findings underscore the importance of exploring alternative biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases and highlight the potential of free-water imaging as a valuable tool in detecting early brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036789
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