Blood Test Predicts Onset of Alzheimer's Disease
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 22 Jul 2014 |

Image: The Luminex 200 System for Multiplex Testing (Photo courtesy of the University of Utah).
A combination of 10 proteins could predict whether individuals would progress from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease (AD) within a year has been discovered.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which includes problems with day-to-day memory, attention and language can be an early sign of dementia, but it can also be a symptom of stress or anxiety. About 10% of people with MCI go on to develop dementia within a year, however, apart from regular memory tests, there is currently no reliable way to predict who will and will not be among them.
Scientists at King's College London (UK) working with Proteome Sciences plc (Cobham, UK) analyzed blood samples from 1,148 subjects: 476 with AD, 220 with MCI, and 452 elderly controls with no dementia. The team analyzed 26 proteins in the blood samples and found that 16 linked strongly to brain shrinkage in the MCI and Alzheimer's groups. All candidate proteins were measured using xMAP multiplex bead assays incorporated in 7 MILLIPLEX MAP panels run on the Luminex 200 instrument (Luminex; Austin, TX, USA).
In a secondary analysis they discovered that a combination of 10 proteins could predict whether individuals would progress from MCI to Alzheimer's disease within a year with an accuracy of 87%. They found that the proteins transthyretin (TTR), clusterin, cystatin C, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1AcidG), Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM1), cytochrome c4 precursor (CC4), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT), Chemokine ligand 5 (RANTES), and Apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC3) plus the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, had the greatest predictive power.
Abdul Hye, PhD, the lead author of the study said, “The study marks the end of many years' work to find which of the thousands of proteins in the blood were clinically relevant. We now have a set of 10 proteins that can predict whether someone with early symptoms of memory loss, or mild cognitive impairment will develop Alzheimer's disease within a year, with a high level of accuracy.” The study was published on July 10, 2014, in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia.
Related Links:
King's College London
Proteome Sciences plc
Luminex
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which includes problems with day-to-day memory, attention and language can be an early sign of dementia, but it can also be a symptom of stress or anxiety. About 10% of people with MCI go on to develop dementia within a year, however, apart from regular memory tests, there is currently no reliable way to predict who will and will not be among them.
Scientists at King's College London (UK) working with Proteome Sciences plc (Cobham, UK) analyzed blood samples from 1,148 subjects: 476 with AD, 220 with MCI, and 452 elderly controls with no dementia. The team analyzed 26 proteins in the blood samples and found that 16 linked strongly to brain shrinkage in the MCI and Alzheimer's groups. All candidate proteins were measured using xMAP multiplex bead assays incorporated in 7 MILLIPLEX MAP panels run on the Luminex 200 instrument (Luminex; Austin, TX, USA).
In a secondary analysis they discovered that a combination of 10 proteins could predict whether individuals would progress from MCI to Alzheimer's disease within a year with an accuracy of 87%. They found that the proteins transthyretin (TTR), clusterin, cystatin C, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1AcidG), Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM1), cytochrome c4 precursor (CC4), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT), Chemokine ligand 5 (RANTES), and Apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC3) plus the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, had the greatest predictive power.
Abdul Hye, PhD, the lead author of the study said, “The study marks the end of many years' work to find which of the thousands of proteins in the blood were clinically relevant. We now have a set of 10 proteins that can predict whether someone with early symptoms of memory loss, or mild cognitive impairment will develop Alzheimer's disease within a year, with a high level of accuracy.” The study was published on July 10, 2014, in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia.
Related Links:
King's College London
Proteome Sciences plc
Luminex
Latest Clinical Chem. News
- Urine-Based Nanosensor Tracks Lung Cancer and Fibrosis Noninvasively
- FDA-Cleared Assay Enables Comprehensive Automated Testosterone Testing
- CE-Marked Blood Biomarker Test Advances Automated Alzheimer’s Diagnostics
- Blood-Based Alzheimer’s Test Gains CE Mark for Amyloid Pathology Detection
- Noninvasive Urine Test May Support Earlier Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders
- At-Home Blood and Cognitive Tests Support Dementia Risk Stratification
- Ultrasensitive Test Detects Key Biomarker of Frontotemporal Dementia Subtype
- Routine Blood Tests Years Before Pregnancy Could Identify Preeclampsia Risk
- Blood Test Detects Testicular Cancer Missed by Standard Markers
- Routine Blood Tests Identify Biomarkers Linked to PTSD
- Proteomic Data Underscore Need for Age-Specific Pediatric Reference Ranges
- Routine Blood Count Ratio Linked to Future Alzheimer’s and Dementia Risk
- Label-Free Microfluidic Device Enriches Tumor Cells and Clusters from Pleural Effusions
- Rapid Biosensor Detects Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker for Early Detection
- Urine-Based Multi-Cancer Screening Test Receives FDA Breakthrough Device Designation
- Blood Test Predicts Alzheimer Disease Risk Before Imaging Changes and Symptoms
Channels
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
Sensitive Protein Marker Aids Diagnosis of Small Cell Prostate Cancer
Accurate identification of aggressive prostate cancer subtypes can be difficult when tumors lose expression of lineage markers used in routine pathology. Small cell carcinoma of the prostate, in particular,... Read more
Rapid Multiplex PCR Test Detects 11 Gastrointestinal Pathogens from Single Sample
Cepheid’s Xpert GI Panel has received CE marking under the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR) and is expected to begin shipping to countries that accept the CE mark in the coming weeks.... Read moreHematology
view channel
Stem Cell Biomarkers May Guide Precision Treatment in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer that most often affects older adults and still carries a poor prognosis despite therapeutic advances. Venetoclax-based regimens have improved... Read more
Advanced CBC-Derived Indices Integrated into Hematology Platforms
Diatron, a STRATEC brand, has introduced six advanced hematological indices on its Aquila, Aquarius 3, and Abacus 5 hematology analyzers. The new Research Use Only (RUO) indices include Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Routine TB Screening Test May Reveal Immune Aging and Mortality Risk
Immune aging is associated with weaker responses to vaccination, greater risks of infection, and higher levels of inflammation. Leveraging routinely ordered laboratory tests to quantify that responsiveness... Read more
Biomarkers and Molecular Testing Advance Precision Allergy Care
Allergic diseases often present with similar symptoms but can be driven by distinct biological mechanisms, making standardized care inefficient for many patients. Historically, individuals with pollen... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Study Finds Hidden Mpox Infections May Drive Ongoing Spread
Mpox continues to circulate despite vaccination, and many cases show no known link to a symptomatic partner. The role of people without symptoms has remained uncertain, limiting clarity on how transmission persists.... Read more
Large-Scale Genomic Surveillance Tracks Resistant Bacteria Across European Hospitals
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a growing threat to patient safety, with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales causing difficult-to-treat infections and leaving clinicians with limited therapeutic options.... Read more
Molecular Urine and Stool Tests Do Not Improve Early TB Treatment in Hospitalized HIV Patients
Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, and diagnosis in hospital settings remains difficult. Symptoms are often non-specific, disease can be extrapulmonary, and many patients... Read morePathology
view channel
FDA Clears AI Digital Pathology Tool for Breast Cancer Risk Stratification
Risk assessment at diagnosis is central to guiding therapy for early-stage, hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) invasive breast cancer, where overtreatment... Read more
New AI Tool Reveals Hidden Genetic Signals in Routine H&E Slides
Pathologists worldwide rely on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slides to examine tissue architecture, yet these stains do not reveal the underlying molecular activity that often drives disease.... Read moreTechnology
view channel
Point-of-Care Testing Enhances Health Literacy and Self-Management in Chronic Disease
Limited access to general practitioners and pathology services can delay diagnosis and monitoring for people in regional and remote communities. Rapid, on-the-spot testing can shorten turnaround times... Read more
Fully Automated Sample-to-Insight Workflow Advances Latent TB Testing
Latent tuberculosis remains a substantial testing workload for clinical laboratories as screening programs expand. Despite this growth, only about 40% of testing has shifted from traditional skin tests... Read moreIndustry
view channel
AI-Powered Multi-Functional Analyzer Wins German Innovation Award
Hematology services are increasingly delivered across distributed care settings, where limited staffing and complex workflows can extend turnaround times. Advanced morphology review still often depends... Read more








