Blood tests and biomarkers: dementia research update
Dementia is one of the major health issues of our time. With an increasingly aging population in Canada, the need to properly provide for the needs of Canadians living with dementia and Alzheimer’s becomes more pressing.
The stark reality
According to a new study by the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the number of Canadians living with dementia will rise by 187% by 2050. By 2030 alone, Canada will have over 1 million people living with a diagnosis of dementia. As Dr. Joshua Armstrong, lead author of the study, observed:
“Structural barriers and social determinants of health have had an impact on the brain health of a large segment of the population. Our findings highlight that we need to adapt how we help everyone – including Indigenous, racialized and younger adults – live with dementia, while supporting access to care, diagnosis and prevention tools for all.”
The good news – blood biomarkers
The good news is that research into dementia is finding innovative ways to detect those at risk much earlier than before. Leading the way towards a cost-effective and non-invasive tool for the early diagnosis is research into blood biomarkers. Currently early diagnosis depends on invasive procedures including brain scans and lumber punctures to detect the levels of key proteins.
According to the Alzheimers Society:
“Researchers are now developing biomarker tests that can detect two proteins called amyloid or tau proteins in the blood. These proteins both build up in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease, and when detected in blood could be used to indicate that they are also present in the brain.”
A new study by joint teams at the University of Warwick and Fudan University in China suggests that this type of biomarker blood test could predict the onset of dementia over a decade earlier than a normal diagnosis.
“Scientists discovered biological markers for the condition in blood samples collected from more than 50,000 healthy volunteers… Analysis of the blood identified patterns of four proteins that predicted the onset of dementia in general, and Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia specifically, in older age.”
Check out this video discussion on the January 2024 edition of “Dementia Talks! Canada” for in-depth discussion on biomarkers.
And there’s more research cited in this Time magazine article.
Living with dementia
Running alongside any new methods of detection is the need to help those who get a diagnosis to live their lives to the full. Dr. Carrie McAiney, Schlegel Research Chair in Dementia at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging explained how the “Forward with Dementia” project offers hope as well as support:
“We want (people) to understand that living with dementia doesn’t mean giving up but rather finding ways to live their best lives. This involves supporting their well-being and encouraging them to stay engaged in healthy activities, maintain social connections and pursue their interests for as long as possible.”
The Government of Canada is now investing in projects that work to reduce the risk of dementia and provide support to those with a diagnosis already. In January 2024, the Minister of Health announced a total of $17.1 million in funding through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Dementia Strategic Fund and Dementia Community Investment.
“These latest projects supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada will contribute to our efforts to reduce the risk of dementia and improve the health outcomes and quality of life of people living with dementia, their families, and caregivers.”
Looking for home care for a loved one with dementia?
At Vytality at Home, we offer home care for those living with dementia, and also to support the family caregivers who care for them. Our services range from regular 2 hours visits to 24 hour care of required. Contact us to discuss your requirements and concerns; we are genuinely here to help.
