New Blood Test to Predict Alzheimer's

by KTRH:The battle against Alzheimer's disease could be heading in a new direction following the announcement of a new blood test.Researchers at the National Institute of Aging say their new blood test can predict Alzheimer's up to 10 years before the onset of symptoms.  This is the third blood test announced this year that finds Alzheimer's, which is normally diagnosed based on cognitive symptoms.But, would you really want to know?  There is no treatment for Alzheimer's Disease.  Unlike AIDS or HIV early detection means nothing since there is no treatment at any stage.  So would you really want to know you will develop Alzheimer's Disease in five or ten years?Chief of Neurology at Kelsey-Seybold Dr. Jonathan Garza says the new method for testing is exciting, "We're still trying to figure out what these proteins really mean and if whether they are a by-product of this dysfunction or if they are a contributory agent."The blood test looks for the protein ISR-1, or insulin resistance receptor.  The latest science is providing a link between Alzheimer's Disease and diabetes.  But, not all diabetics develop Alzheimer's and not all Alzheimer's patients are diabetics.The new blood test is still in the trial phase and so far has only been tested on 174 individuals.  It did correctly diagnose every single individual, leading to the claim by the researchers that the test if 100% accurate.