Canadian neuroscientists have developed a saliva test capable of determining a person’s likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease at an early age. This early detection would allow these patients to be treated with ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug that could prevent the onset of the disease when taken early.
47 million people are affected by Alzheimer’s disease worldwide. It is the fifth leading cause of death in people over the age of 65. Research to stop the progression of the disease is progressing.
Canadian researchers, led by renowned neuroscientist Patrick McGeer, have shown the effectiveness of ibuprofen as a preventative treatment against Alzheimer’s disease provided it is taken early enough.
These scientists have developed a saliva test that can determine a person’s likelihood of having Alzheimer’s disease very early on. If the result is positive, taking ibuprofen daily may help prevent the onset of the disease.
The role of beta-amyloid protein 42
In 2016, Professor McGeer’s team announced that they had developed this saliva test. It measures the concentration of beta-amyloid protein 42 (Abeta 42). In general, individuals, whether male or female, and regardless of their age, have a roughly similar Abeta 42 production rate. But if a person has two or three times the rate, they will develop Alzheimer’s disease in the future.
In fact, this protein is made all over the body, but when it is mainly deposited in the brain, which is the case when it is produced in large quantities, it causes the degradation of neurons, which is responsible for the disease. ‘Alzheimer’s.
Prevent inflammation of neurons
This detection by saliva test therefore makes it possible to determine at an early stage the onset or not of the disease in the future. For example, patients can take daily non-steroidal drugs, such as ibuprofen, as preventative treatment. They will help prevent inflammation of neurons in the long term.
“As we know that Alzheimer’s disease begins on average at the age of 65, we recommend that people take the test ten years before, around 55 years old. If their Abeta 42 level is high, now is the time to start taking ibuprofen daily to prevent the onset of the disease, ”says Professor McGeer.
Alzheimer’s solution that requires ‘no prescription or doctor’ https://t.co/1jHKRziIU5
– Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) March 27, 2018
In 2016, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Manchester also showed the effectiveness of ibuprofen in reversing memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease. The test, which was successful, had been carried out on mice.
.
