Approximately 411,000 Australians were estimated to be living with dementia in 2023 and this number is expected to double over the next 34 years.
However, researchers at Monash University have discovered a method to detect Alzheimer’s disease in Australians before obvious symptoms appear.
The simple finger prick test could soon be used in mainstream healthcare as it can identify hallmark protein biomarkers that are present in early Alzheimer’s disease.
A biomarker is a characteristic in a person’s body that can be detected through testing and is linked to certain conditions or diseases.
Associate Professor Sudha Mokkapati from Monash Materials Science and Engineering commented on how this early detection method could improve treatment outcomes for Australians at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
“It’s simple to use, low-cost and portable so it could be made widely accessible to general practitioners to screen patients right at the point of care,” she said.
“Detecting very early disease in large populations could dramatically change the trajectory of this burdening disease for many patients and shave millions off associated healthcare costs.
“We’ve completed testing that shows the technology is highly advanced by design and capable of detecting ultra-low levels of several disease biomarkers in blood.
“The next stage is to undertake the clinical validation needed to bring this a step closer to reality and we’re reliant on further funding to progress this.”
Although this future testing for Alzheimer’s disease involves pricking a finger for blood, it is not the same as using a sensor to measure blood sugar in diabetes.
Current treatments for Alzheimer’s disease include medications and lifestyle changes such as exercising and eating a balanced diet. However, such treatments are often used to delay the presence of symptoms rather than cure the disease.
Seventy percent of people with dementia are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of the condition.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can include difficulties with memory, cognition problems, loss of previously learned skills and changes in personality and behaviour.
Changes in personality and behaviour can involve increased anger, wandering, mood swings and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Monash University Associate Professor Matthew Pase highlighted that the potential of the blood-pricking device to identify Alzheimer’s disease could lead to early detection and related treatment.
“Earlier screening could change the outlook for many patients diagnosed with cognitive impairment, increasing the chance of halting or slowing symptom development and the rapid progression of the disease,” he said.
“Most patients with neurodegenerative disease are typically diagnosed at advanced stages. Sadly, treatments targeting late-onset disease provide limited therapeutic benefit.”
Current methods for identifying late-onset Alzheimer’s disease may include cognitive testing, lab tests and imaging scans.
A person with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease will have experienced initial symptoms after the age of 65 years. Alternatively, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease occurs when people first have symptoms before 65 years of age.
In Australian aged care facilities, more than half of residents have some form of dementia, according to recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Positive medical advances in identifying Alzheimer’s disease could mean that earlier interventions improve the quality of life for Australians with the disease.
