Scientists today said they have devised a new method to detect rare forms of dementia as well as other neurological diseases through blood tests.
The blood markers can spot frontotemporal dementia (FTD) as well as neurological diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), said the team from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE).
FTD, ALS and PSP form a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases with overlapping symptoms characterised by dementia, behavioural symptoms, paralysis and muscle wasting, movement impairment and other serious impairments.
The findings, published in the journal Nature Medicine, are based on the measurement of certain proteins in the blood, which serve as biomarkers.
The study also involved the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and other research institutions in Germany and Spain.
"As yet, there is no cure for any of these diseases. And, with current methods, it is not possible to reach a conclusive diagnosis of the molecular pathology of these diseases during a patient's lifetime, since brain tissue must be examined," explained Professor Anja Schneider, a research group leader at DZNE.
The researchers showed that PSP, behavioural variant of FTD and the vast majority of ALS cases with the exception of a particular mutation can be recognised by blood testing and this also applies to their underlying pathology.
"Our study is the first to find pathology-specific biomarkers. Initially, application is likely to be in research and therapy development. But in the long term, I consider it realistic that these biomarkers will also be used for diagnosis in medical routine," said Schneider, who is also affiliated with the University of Bonn.
The results were based on data and blood samples from study collectives in Germany and Spain with a total of 991 adults.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
The Women Safety Emergency
Blood Tests Can Predict Parkinson's 7 Years Before Symptoms: Study New Blood Test Can Predict Breast Cancer Return Much Before Scans Can Blood Test Detect Heart Failure Risk? What Indian-Origin Professor's Research Finds 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court "Reclaim The Night": Women Seek Justice In Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case "Want To Ask Congress...": Mamata Banerjee Snaps At Ally In Rape-Murder Case 8 Of Family Hospitalised After Consuming Wild Mushroom In Jharkhand: Cops US' UCLA Must Protect Jewish Students' Access To Campus, Judge Rules For 1st Time, Tricolour To Be Hoisted In Villages Of This Maoist-Hit Region Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.