Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

COVID-like Nasal Swab Test May Help Spot Early Alzheimer's Signs

A team of US researchers has developed a novel <span>nasal swab test</span>, akin to those used to detect COVID-19 infections, which can spot early signs of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/alzheimers-disease">Alzheimer's Disease</a></span> -- affecting over 55 million people worldwide. 

The condition is treatable in early stages to manage symptoms and slow cognitive decline. However, it remains the hardest to detect, affecting treatment outcomes. The brain changes can begin 10 to 20 years before symptoms become apparent. 

The novel outpatient nasal swab, developed by <span>Duke University</span> researchers, has shown promise in picking up early biological changes linked to Alzheimer's. It can spot the degenerative condition, even before problems related to thinking and memory begin to appear. 

"We want to be able to confirm Alzheimer's very early, before damage has a chance to build up in the brain," said Bradley J. Goldstein, professor at Duke University's School of Medicine.

"If we can diagnose people early enough, we might be able to start therapies that prevent them from ever developing clinical Alzheimer's," Goldstein added. 

<h2>How Effective Was The Nasal Swab? </h2>

In the study, published in the journal <span>Nature Communications</span>, the team placed a gentle swab high inside the nose of 22 participants.

The swab collected thousands of nerve and immune cells to see which genes are active.   

The analysis clearly differentiated people with early or diagnosed Alzheimer's from those without the disease -- 81 percent of the time. It also included people with no symptoms.   

<h2>Alzheimer’s Disease: The Leading Cause of <span rel="noindex"><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dementia">Dementia</a></span></h2>

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.

About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US, 65 and older, live with the condition, and over 100,00 die from it annually. 

Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate and damage cells responsible for memory. 

While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity 

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Other signs include:

<ul><li>losing or misplacing things</li><li>getting lost when walking or driving</li><li>being confused, even in familiar places</li><li>losing track of time</li><li>difficulties solving problems or making decisions</li><li>difficulties performing familiar tasks</li><li>misjudging distances to objects visually.</li></ul>

Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks. 

Currently, there is no cure for this progressive brain disorder, and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition, or infection. These complications can result in death. 

Being physically active and taking part in activities and social interactions that stimulate the brain and maintain daily function can help prevent the condition.

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A team of US researchers has developed a novel nasal swab test, akin to those used to detect COVID-19 infections, which can spot early signs of Alzheimer's Disease -- affecting over 55 million people worldwide.  The condition is treatable in early stages to manage symptoms and slow cognitive decline. However, it remains the hardest to detect, affecting treatment outcomes. The brain changes can begin 10 to 20 years before symptoms become apparent.   The novel outpatient nasal swab, developed by Duke University researchers, has shown promise in picking up early biological changes linked to Alzheimer's. It can spot the degenerative condition, even before problems related to thinking and memory begin to appear. "We want to be able to confirm Alzheimer's very early, before damage has a chance to build up in the brain," said Bradley J. Goldstein, professor at Duke University's School of Medicine. "If we can diagnose people early enough, we might be able to start therapies that prevent them from ever developing clinical Alzheimer's," Goldstein added. How Effective Was The Nasal Swab?  In the study, published in the journal Nature Communications, the team placed a gentle swab high inside the nose of 22 participants.The swab collected thousands of nerve and immune cells to see which genes are active.   The analysis clearly differentiated people with early or diagnosed Alzheimer's from those without the disease -- 81 percent of the time. It also included people with no symptoms.    Alzheimer’s Disease: The Leading Cause of Dementia Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65. About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US, 65 and older, live with the condition, and over 100,00 die from it annually. Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate and damage cells responsible for memory. While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity unhealthy dietsocial isolation.Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Other signs include:losing or misplacing thingsgetting lost when walking or drivingbeing confused, even in familiar placeslosing track of timedifficulties solving problems or making decisionsdifficulties performing familiar tasksmisjudging distances to objects visually.Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks. Currently, there is no cure for this progressive brain disorder, and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition, or infection. These complications can result in death.  Being physically active and taking part in activities and social interactions that stimulate the brain and maintain daily function can help prevent the condition.