&w=3840&q=100)
Blood test to diagnose Alzheimer's gets approval in US
The US approved the first blood test for Alzheimer's on Friday, potentially allowing patients to begin treatment sooner using newly approved medications that slow the spread of the terrible neurological illness.
Fujirebio Diagnostics created the test to assess the ratio of two proteins in the blood. The rato is associated with amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's that has thus far been diagnosed exclusively by brain imaging and spinal fluid research.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'Alzheimer's disease impacts too many people – more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined,' said Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary.
'Knowing that 10 percent of people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's, and that by 2050 that number is expected to double, I am hopeful that new medical products such as this one will help patients.'
While they do not cure Alzheimer's, lecanemab and donanemab, two FDA-approved therapies that target amyloid plaque, have been demonstrated to somewhat moderate cognitive deterioration.
Advocates of intravenous antibody treatments, including many neurologists, claim they can provide patients a few more months of independence and are more likely to be beneficial if begun earlier in the disease's course.
In clinical trials, the blood test showed results that were mostly consistent with positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans and spinal fluid analyses.
'Today's clearance is an important step for Alzheimer's diagnosis, making it easier and potentially more accessible for US patients earlier in the disease,' said Michelle Tarver of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
The test is authorized for use in clinical settings for patients showing signs of cognitive decline, and results must be interpreted alongside other clinical information.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia. It worsens over time, gradually robbing people of their memories and independence.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
US FDA approves blockbuster weight loss drug for severe fatty liver disease: What this means for you?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the popular weight-loss drug semaglutide for the treatment of the liver condition called metabolic associated steatohepatitis (MASH) — previously referred to as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. It is a more severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, where the fat deposition on the liver leads to inflammation and liver cell damage. The medicine was first approved in 2017 for the treatment of diabetes. It has since been approved for the treatment of obesity and associated cardiovascular diseases. The condition starts off as non-alcoholic, or as it is now known metabolic-associated, fatty liver disease. This fat build-up, over time, leads to inflammation and scarring of the liver, reducing the efficiency of the organ. Importantly, it can further progress to severe scarring called cirrhosis and then liver cancer. The challenge is that most people remain unaware of the condition in the initial stages. It is only when there has been significant damage to the organ that people experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue and weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin caused by bilirubin buildup when the liver does not function properly). With obesity on the rise, there has been an increase in the incidence of MASH. For most people diagnosed to have fat accumulation in the liver, doctors suggest diet and exercise as a means of reducing body fat as well as the fat deposition in the abdomen and various organs, including the liver. Yet, it was only last year that the very first treatment for the condition was approved by the US FDA. Resmetirom, along with diet and exercise, was shown to resolve MASH and prevent worsening of the liver scarring. It works by activating a receptor that controls processes such as lipid metabolism, thereby reducing fat in the liver and its inflammation. Semaglutide, on the other hand, works by addressing underlying risk factors such as obesity, abdominal deposition of fat, diabetes, and insulin resistance. A phase III trial of 800 people — randomly prescribed semaglutide (534 participants) or placebo (266 participants) — showed that 63 per cent receiving the drug saw resolution of MASH and no worsening of the liver scarring as compared to 34 per cent receiving placebo. The interim trial data also shows that 37 per cent of the participants on semaglutide showed improvement in liver scarring and no worsening of MASH as compared to 22 per cent receiving placebo at 72 weeks after initiating treatment. 'The trial will continue for a total of 240 weeks to determine whether inflammation and scarring improvements seen after 72 weeks translate into decreases in death, liver transplant and other liver-related events,' the FDA said in a statement. It is estimated that anywhere between nine per cent and 32 per cent of the population in India is living with metabolic associated fatty liver disease — the beginning stage of MASH. A study published earlier this year showed more than 84 per cent of the IT sector employees in Hyderabad had increased liver fat accumulation, indicating MAFLD. The study — based on data from 345 IT employees — found that 76.5 per cent had high levels of bad cholesterol, 70.7 per cent were obese, and 20.9 per cent had higher than normal fasting blood glucose levels.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Just 1 diet soda a day could triple your risk of life-threatening diseases like stroke and dementia, new study warns
Many of us reach for diet sodas or soft drinks thinking they're a healthier alternative to sugary beverages. They're convenient, refreshing, and often marketed as a guilt-free choice. A new study published in the American Heart Association's journal has raised concerns over the health effects of diet sodas and artificially sweetened soft drinks. Study reveals daily diet soda consumption raises stroke and Alzheimer's risk. (Representational Image) A decade-long study following more than 2,800 adults aged 45 and older found that individuals who drank at least one artificially sweetened beverage daily had almost triple the risk of ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's dementia compared to those who seldom consumed these drinks. (Also read: Doctor says these everyday foods can be silently damaging your liver: From cookies, soda to cereals ) What the study reveals Participants reported their beverage habits, including diet sodas and other cold drinks, at multiple points during the decade-long study. Those who drank one or more artificially sweetened beverages daily had hazard ratios close to 3.0 for ischemic Stroke and Alzheimer's dementia, indicating a significantly higher risk. The research accounted for age, gender, diet quality, and physical activity, adding credibility to the findings. Although the specific types of sweeteners were not detailed, the results contribute to growing concerns about the safety of common artificial additives. Diet sodas, despite being low in sugar, may disrupt metabolism and gut health due to artificial sweeteners.(REUTERS) How diet sodas affect the body Despite containing little or no sugar, diet sodas rely on artificial sweeteners that may disrupt metabolic processes. They can affect gut bacteria, alter glucose regulation, and influence brain chemistry, potentially increasing susceptibility to neurological conditions. Additionally, caffeine and phosphoric acid in sodas may raise blood pressure and deplete essential minerals, both of which can negatively impact cardiovascular and brain health. Beyond stroke and dementia, regular consumption of diet or sugary sodas has been linked to: Obesity: 1.6 times higher risk per additional soda 1.6 times higher risk per additional soda Heart disease: 20% higher risk from just one can daily 20% higher risk from just one can daily Type 2 diabetes: 26% higher risk for 1–2 cans per day 26% higher risk for 1–2 cans per day Tooth decay and bone loss: From sugar and acid erosion From sugar and acid erosion Kidney damage: Sodium and phosphoric acid can harm the kidneys and bones over time What happens in your body after a soft drink Immediately: Sugar floods your bloodstream. Sugar floods your bloodstream. 20 minutes: Blood sugar spikes, triggering insulin release. Blood sugar spikes, triggering insulin release. 40 minutes: Caffeine is absorbed, increasing blood pressure and releasing more sugar from the liver. Dopamine stimulates the brain's pleasure centres. Caffeine is absorbed, increasing blood pressure and releasing more sugar from the liver. Dopamine stimulates the brain's pleasure centres. 60 minutes: Phosphoric acid binds calcium and other minerals in the gut, while caffeine's diuretic effect flushes them out through urine. Lead researchers emphasise that while the study shows a strong link, it doesn't prove that diet sodas directly cause stroke or dementia. Moderation is crucial, and water or natural drinks are safer choices. As evidence of potential harms grows, cutting back on artificially sweetened beverages may help reduce risks to brain and heart health. Further research is needed to fully understand these associations and guide safe dietary choices.
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
Early puberty, childbirth may raise several health risks to women
New Delhi: Girls who go through puberty (the onset of menstruation) before the age of 11 or women who give birth before the age of 21 have double the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and obesity, and quadruple the risk of developing severe metabolic disorders, according to a study. The study led by researchers at the US-based Buck Institute for Research on Aging revealed that later puberty and childbirth are genetically associated with longer lifespan, lower frailty, slower epigenetic ageing, and reduced risk of age-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's. "We show that genetic factors favouring early reproduction come with a significant cost later in life, including accelerated ageing and disease. It makes sense that the very factors that help enhance the survival of the offspring may lead to detrimental consequences for the mother," Pankaj Kapahi, Professor at the varsity. Noting that the public health implications of the research are significant, he stated that "these risk factors, whether positive or negative, clearly have significant influence on a variety of age-related diseases and should be considered in the larger context of overall health." The research, published in the journal eLife, was based on regression analysis on nearly 200,000 women in the UK to confirm genetic associations. The study identified 126 genetic markers that mediate the effects of early puberty and childbirth on ageing. Kapahi said the study highlights the role of Body Mass Index (BMI) as a critical mediator of this process, finding that early reproductive events contribute to a higher BMI, which in turn increases the risk of metabolic disease. "One can envision that enhancing the ability to absorb nutrients would benefit the offspring, but if nutrients are plentiful, then it can enhance the risk of obesity and diabetes." Kapahi noted that understanding the long-term impact of reproductive timing allows for the development of personalised health care strategies that could help mitigate the risks associated with early puberty and early childbirth. He added that lifestyle modifications, metabolic screenings, and tailored dietary recommendations could improve long-term health in women.
