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The Independent
19 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Neurologists discover new way to predict Alzheimer's decline
Research indicates that a simple blood test, the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, could identify Alzheimer's patients at a high risk of cognitive decline. Neurologists at the University of Brescia in Italy found that non-diabetic Alzheimer's patients with mild cognitive impairment and high TyG scores experienced cognitive decline four times faster. The TyG index, a readily available marker for insulin resistance, showed this link specifically in Alzheimer's patients, not in those with other neurodegenerative conditions. It is believed that insulin resistance impairs glucose uptake in the brain, contributing to inflammation and amyloid build-up, both linked to Alzheimer's progression. These findings could lead to earlier identification of high-risk Alzheimer's patients, allowing for more targeted clinical trials and interventions to improve insulin sensitivity.
Extra.ie
21 hours ago
- Health
- Extra.ie
Blood test can tell if you're at risk of severe Alzheimer's
A simple blood test can tell which patients will rapidly develop severe Alzheimer's, a new study has revealed. Identifying those with mild cognitive impairment who are most likely to suffer an accelerated decline could allow them to enter clinical trials and get extra support, researchers say. Neurologists tested 315 non-diabetic patients with cognitive deficits, including 200 with Alzheimer's disease, for resistance to insulin – a hormone that regulates blood-sugar levels. A simple blood test can tell which patients will rapidly develop severe Alzheimer's, a new study has revealed. Pic: Getty Images This was assessed using the triglyceride-glucose (TYG) index. Among those with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's, individuals with the highest TYG scores declined four times faster over the three-year follow-up period than those with lower TYG levels. Researchers suggest that insulin resistance, which has been linked to the onset of Alzheimer's, may accelerate progression by impairing the uptake of glucose in the brain, promoting inflammation and disrupting the blood-brain barrier. It may also contribute to the build-up of amyloid, a toxic protein, in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Identifying those with mild cognitive impairment who are most likely to suffer an accelerated decline could allow them to enter clinical trials and get extra support, researchers say. Pic: Shutterstock The scientists at the University of Brescia, Italy, also found that high TYG was associated with blood-brain barrier disruption and cardiovascular risk factors. However, they found no link between high TYG and other neurodegenerative diseases. Lead researcher Dr Bianca Gumina said: 'Once mild cognitive impairment is diagnosed, families always ask how fast it will progress. 'Our data shows that a simple metabolic marker available in every hospital laboratory can help identify more vulnerable subjects who may be suitable candidates for targeted therapy or specific intervention strategies.' Neurologists tested 315 non-diabetic patients with cognitive deficits, including 200 with Alzheimer's disease, for resistance to insulin – a hormone that regulates blood-sugar levels. Pic: Shutterstock While insulin resistance has been linked to the onset of Alzheimer's disease, its role in how quickly the condition progresses has received less attention. This study aimed to fill that gap by focusing on its impact during the prodromal mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage, when patients follow highly variable trajectories. Dr Gumina commented: 'We were surprised to see the effect only in the Alzheimer's spectrum and not in other neurodegenerative diseases. 'It suggests a disease-specific vulnerability to metabolic stress during the prodromal window, when interventions may still change the trajectory.' The researchers found that high TYG was also associated with blood-brain barrier disruption and cardiovascular risk factors. The researchers found that high TYG was associated with blood-brain barrier disruption and cardiovascular risk factors. Pic: Getty Images However, it showed no interaction with the APOE genotype, a genetic vulnerability that increases the carrier's risk of developing Alzheimer's. This indicates metabolic and genetic risks may act through distinct pathways, they said. Identifying high-TYG patients could refine enrolment for clinical trials and prompt earlier lifestyle or drug-based measures to improve insulin sensitivity. The researchers are currently investigating whether TYG levels also align with neuroimaging biomarkers to aid earlier detection. 'If targeting metabolism can delay progression, we will have a readily modifiable target that works alongside emerging disease-modifying drugs', concluded Dr Gumina. The study will be presented today at the European Academy of Neurology Congress in Helsinki, Finland. There are over 64,000 people in this country living with dementia, according to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, and this number is projected to more than double to over 150,000 by 2045.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
THIS common condition may speed up Alzheimer's disease: Experts recommend a simple blood test to determine it
A recent study presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2025 reveals that a blood test could predict rapid cognitive decline in early Alzheimer's patients. Researchers at the University of Brescia found insulin resistance, measured by the TyG index, significantly accelerates the disease's progression. Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common type of dementia, is on the rise. About 57 million people had dementia worldwide in 2021, and the numbers are escalating. This progressive neurodegenerative disorder affects the quality of life, even impacting daily activities, and hence, early diagnosis is crucial. Researchers have now found that a simple blood test may soon help doctors predict which patients with early Alzheimer's disease are most at risk of rapid cognitive decline. They also found that a common condition related to metabolic disorders could dramatically accelerate the disease. The research was led by neurologists at the University of Brescia in Italy and was presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025. Common condition linked to accelerated Alzheimer's disease The common condition in question is insulin resistance . The researchers looked at the records of 315 non-diabetic patients with cognitive deficits, including 200 with biologically confirmed Alzheimer's disease. All participants underwent a TyG index assessment and were followed clinically over three years. The researchers found that the patients in the highest third of the TyG index within the Mild Cognitive Impairment-AD subgroup declined significantly faster than those with lower readings, losing more than 2.5 points per year on the widely used Mini-Mental State Examination. The ratio for rapid progression was 4.08 (95% CI 1.06–15.73), which is a fourfold increase in risk. 'Once mild cognitive impairment is diagnosed, families always ask how fast it will progress. Our data show that a simple metabolic marker available in every hospital laboratory can help identify more vulnerable subjects who may be suitable candidates for targeted therapy or specific intervention strategies,' lead investigator Dr Bianca Gumina said in a statement. Impact of insulin resistance on Alzheimer's disease Though previous research has shown the association between insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease , its role in how quickly the condition progresses has not been much explored. This recent study looked into insulin resistance's impact during the prodromal mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage, when patients follow highly variable trajectories. What is insulin resistance Insulin resistance is a condition where the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose (sugar) enter cells for energy. To compensate, the pancreas produces more insulin, but over time, this can lead to elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and other serious health conditions. The study The researchers used the TyG index, a simple and affordable way to measure insulin resistance, to see if metabolic problems could help predict how quickly cognitive decline happens after diagnosis. 'We were surprised to see the effect only in the Alzheimer's spectrum and not in other neurodegenerative diseases. It suggests a disease-specific vulnerability to metabolic stress during the prodromal window, when interventions may still change the trajectory', Dr Gumina added. Salman Khan Drops Health Bombshell on National TV The researchers at the University of Brescia, led by Professor Padovani and Professor Pilotto, found that high TyG was also associated with blood–brain barrier disruption and cardiovascular risk factors. However, it showed no interaction with the APOE ε4 genotype, and hinted that metabolic and genetic risks may act through distinct pathways. 'If targeting metabolism can delay progression, we will have a readily modifiable target that works alongside emerging disease-modifying drugs', Dr Gumina concluded. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
