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Blood Test Predicts Alzheimer's

Breakthrough diagnosis could aid treatment

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 15, 2007 3:24 AM CDT

(Newser) – A new blood test not only diagnoses Alzheimer's, but it can predict with 91% accuracy who will suffer from the disease in the future, reports the San Jose Mercury News. The test, developed by San Francisco company Satoris, identifies the disease by detecting unusual activity in 18 proteins associated with the illness.

Alzheimer's, which afflicts 4.5 million Americans, is notoriously difficult to diagnose.  Because serious damage to the brain usually occurs before the illness is identified, "we need to be able to predict who's going to get this disease," said one expert.

Alzheimer's patient Dorothy Eckert, left, hugs her daughter Louise Eckert at their home in Norristown Pa., Thursday, April 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Alzheimer's patient Dorothy Eckert, left, hugs her daughter Louise Eckert at their home in Norristown Pa., Thursday, April 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)   (Associated Press)
Alzheimer's sufferer Robert Melnick, stands near wife Delores and one of their dogs, Kiowa, outside their home in Hainesport, N.J.,  Wednesday, April 18, 2007.  (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Alzheimer's sufferer Robert Melnick, stands near wife Delores and one of their dogs, Kiowa, outside their home in Hainesport, N.J., Wednesday, April 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)   (Associated Press)
Alzheimer's patient Dorothy Eckert and her husband John Eckert's hold hands at their home  in Norristown Pa., Thursday, April 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Alzheimer's patient Dorothy Eckert and her husband John Eckert's hold hands at their home in Norristown Pa., Thursday, April 19, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)   (Associated Press)
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