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Spinal-Fluid Test Confirmed To Predict Alzheimer's
omnibit writes "The New York Times reports that researchers have found a spinal-fluid test can be 100 percent accurate in identifying patients with significant memory loss who are on their way to developing Alzheimer's disease. The new study included more than 300 patients in their seventies, 114 with normal memories, 200 with memory problems, and 102 with Alzheimer's disease. Their spinal fluid was analyzed for amyloid beta, which forms plaques in the brain, and for tau, another protein that accumulates in dead and dying nerve cells in the brain. Nearly every person with Alzheimer's had the characteristic spinal fluid protein levels."
That happens, but it is rare. But because of the potential numbers of people who would want the test, the difficulty of doing a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) on persons who have arthritis in the back (very common among us ancient folk), are of the supersized persuasion, or have other reasons to dissuade themselves, I don't think this is going to be the ultimate test.
Instead it will serve as a proxy to allow simpler tests to be developed. TFA also notes that PET scans are fairly accurate. These are available at many larger medical centers but are also pretty pricey and technically complex.
This is also not the first time that lumbar punctures for beta amyloid have been used to diagnose Alzheimer's. And finally, the abstract of the original article for your viewing pleasure.
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
Yeah, not only that, but also it says that many people without Alzheimer's turned out positive too ... so they assumed those are going to develop Alzheimer's.
It produces false negatives, and it might be producing false-positives, but we won't know until 10 or 20 years later. But it still is 100% accurate. Nice math there. This trend of early publishing non peer reviewed material while making extraordinary claims, only to never hear from it again is starting to get really old.
WTF am I doing replying to an AC at 5 A.M on a Friday night?
Only 100% accurate? Given the necessity for a spinal tap it should go to 110%.
In her early onset of Alzheimer's, I used to say shocking things about my life to my Grandmother. She'd be surprised, righteously indignant, and secretly curious. She'd ask all sorts of questions. Fifteen minutes later, we'd do it all again.
When I left from these visits, she'd be absolutely glowing. She'd be awake, excited, and extremely happy. And she had no idea what happened. Next time in, I could make the shocking revelations again with the same effect.
The ______ Agenda
If I had points I'd bump you to 6.