Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease Using Brain and Blood Biomarkers in Middle Age

Recent research from the University of Turku in Finland highlights that signs associated with Alzheimer's disease can be identified in the brain during middle age. This discovery emphasizes the potential for earlier diagnosis and intervention, which could significantly impact disease progression management. In particular, blood-based biomarkers, which are proteins or other molecules indicating disease presence, show promise for non-invasive, cost-effective screening.

A notable aspect of the study is the link between blood biomarkers and familial history. Higher biomarker levels in middle-aged individuals correlated with elevated levels in their parents, especially mothers, suggesting a genetic or familial influence. Additionally, factors like kidney health were also linked to increased biomarker concentrations.

The well-known APOE ε4 gene, associated with increased Alzheimer’s risk, was found to influence blood biomarkers in older adults, although it did not show the same effect during middle age. This suggests that biomarker levels evolve over time and could serve as early indicators of risk.

This study forms part of Finland’s Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, which investigates health markers over generations. The findings underscore that neurodegenerative processes may begin long before clinical symptoms emerge, often years or decades prior.

A promising advancement in Alzheimer's detection is the development of blood tests capable of identifying disease-related brain changes. Currently, confirming Alzheimer’s requires expensive imaging or cerebrospinal fluid analysis, but new ultrasensitive technologies could soon allow for simple blood-based testing. However, challenges remain, including establishing standardized reference values and understanding factors that influence biomarker levels to avoid misdiagnosis.

The research involved 2,051 individuals aged 41 to 90, examining how blood biomarkers related to Alzheimer’s disease vary across age and generations. Experts emphasize that while these blood tests are not yet definitive, they hold great promise for future diagnostics, enabling earlier intervention and personalized treatment strategies.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-brain-biomarkers-alzheimer-disease-early.html