In something that could be a breakthrough, researchers have developed an algorithm that can diagnose the condition with an accuracy of up to 98 percent. The computer program uses standard MRI technology found in most hospitals to produce a result in 12 hours. At present, it can take months to diagnose the disease in the NHS and requires a series of memory and cognitive function tests as well as scans. Researchers at Imperial College London who developed the algorithm, which has been tested on more than 400 people, hope it will be released on the NHS by 2025. The technology works by looking for abnormalities in 115 areas of the brain, analyzing features such as size, shape and texture. It could help experts identify exactly what causes memory theft. It has been used in the past to scan tumors in women with ovarian cancer to judge how the cancer is likely to develop. Scientists have developed an algorithm that can diagnose the condition with an accuracy of up to 98 percent. Uses the standard MRI technology found in most hospitals and produces results in 12 hours (stock image)
POSSIBLE TREATMENTS AND TREATMENTS FOR ALZHEIMER
Stem cells Stem cells are “building blocks” that can grow into many different cell types, including brain or nerve cells. They have the ability to repair brain damage caused by neurological conditions such as dementia. Vaccines and antibodies Immunotherapy involves strengthening the body’s own defenses to fight disease. Used to treat cancer and Covid. Some studies are examining vaccines that prevent the accumulation of proteins in the brains of patients with dementia. Other studies have used monoclonal antibodies – which include injecting molecules that have been prepared in a laboratory and designed to target plaque in the brain. The UK CLARITY study measures how effective the BAN2401 monoclonal antibody (lecanemab) is in preventing or delaying the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Another treatment, called aducanumab, is currently being considered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Reuse drugs Developing new drugs to treat dementia takes many years and millions of pounds. Reusing existing drugs used for other conditions is another, often faster, way to find drugs to treat dementia. Current drugs being investigated as possible treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia include those used to:
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Imperial professor Eric Aboagye, who led the study, said: “At present, no other simple and widely available method can predict Alzheimer’s disease with this level of accuracy, so our research is an important step towards the front. “Waiting for a diagnosis can be a horrible experience for patients and their families. “If we could reduce the time they have to wait, make the diagnosis a simpler procedure and reduce some of the uncertainty, that would help a lot. “If all goes well, hopefully this could be available on the NHS in two to three years.” Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than half a million people in the United Kingdom and about 6 million in the United States. The disease causes the death of brain cells and the shrinkage of areas of the brain. To see how well an MRI scan could detect these changes, the researchers looked at 172 people with the disease who had only mild cognitive impairment. These secondary memory issues, such as forgetting recent events or repeating the same question, are usually precursors to dementia, but may be mistaken for normal memory loss due to aging. The algorithm accurately identified these people in about three-quarters of the cases, even without using memory test results. It usually takes two to five years for mild cognitive impairment to turn into complete dementia, and patients with suspected dementia may be monitored for months or even years before being diagnosed. The algorithm looks for 660 different features in the brain, collecting very subtle changes that could be ignored by the human eye. The researchers found that there were surprisingly early signs of Alzheimer’s in areas of the brain that had never been linked to the disease, including the cerebellum, which regulates physical activity, and the cerebral cortex, which is linked to vision and hearing. The disease is notorious for its effect on memory. But researchers found that looking at the hippocampus – the “memory center” of the brain – collects only 26 percent of Alzheimer’s patients. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, rapid diagnosis helps patients gain timely access to support, receive treatment to manage their symptoms, and plan for the future. The algorithm developed for the analysis of brain scans returns a result overnight, currently within 10 to 12 hours. At present, it can take months to diagnose the disease in the NHS and requires a series of memory and cognitive function tests as well as scans. Professor Aboagye said: “This could help people avoid stress for weeks to months after first seeing their doctor as they await the results of cognitive tests and diagnosis.” The Imperial team also looked at scans of people with other neurological conditions, including frontotemporal dementia and Parkinson’s disease, to see if the algorithm could differentiate the disorders. 172 people with Alzheimer’s and 254 people with other neurological conditions who were healthy tried it. These included 83 people from a memory clinic with suspected dementia. Brain scans perform better, with up to 98 percent accuracy, than other standard methods used for diagnosis, according to the study authors. A spinal tap to look at fluid from the brain that contains trademark proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease is 62 percent accurate. Brain scans were not compared to PET scans for dementia.
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain in which the accumulation of abnormal proteins causes the death of nerve cells. This disrupts the transmitters that carry messages and causes the brain to shrink. More than 5 million people suffer from the disease in the US, which is the 6th leading cause of death and more than 1 million Britons have it. WHAT’S UP; As brain cells die, the functions they provide are lost. This includes memory, orientation and the ability to think and reason. The progression of the disease is slow and gradual. On average, patients live five to seven years after diagnosis, but some may live ten to 15 years. EARLY SYMPTOMS:
Short-term memory loss Disorientation Behavior changes Mood swings Difficulties dealing with money or making a phone call
LATER SYMPTOMS:
Severe memory loss, forgetting close family members, familiar objects or places Anxiety and frustration due to inability to understand the world, leading to aggressive behavior Eventually he loses the ability to walk He may have problems with eating The majority will eventually need 24-hour care
Source: Alzheimer’s Association
