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The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Blood tests could reveal early signs of Alzheimer's disease, research suggests
Signs of Alzheimer's disease could be detectable in the blood as early as middle age, a study has found, raising hopes that routine tests could eventually help identify those at risk of the condition long before memory problems appear. A large Finnish project, which is part of the long-term 'Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns' study, found elevated levels of brain-related biomarkers in adults aged 41 to 56, suggesting that biological changes linked to Alzheimer's begin decades before symptoms usually arise. The study also reported that a parent's biomarker levels, particularly in mothers, may be associated with similar patterns in their children, highlighting a potential hereditary component. A total of 2,051 individuals took part in the study: 1,237 were middle-aged adults aged 41 to 56, and 814 were their parents aged 59 to 90. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Turku and published in The Lancet 's 'Healthy Longevity'. 'In clinical practice, detecting beta-amyloid pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease currently requires imaging studies or cerebrospinal fluid sampling,' said Suvi Rovio, senior researcher at the Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Turku. 'However, recently developed ultrasensitive measurement technologies now allow the detection of Alzheimer's disease-related brain biomarkers from blood samples.' Researchers found that certain factors, such as increasing age and kidney disease, were associated with higher levels of biomarkers even before cognitive decline set in. They also found that the APOE ε4 gene, a known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's, was linked to higher biomarker levels in older individuals - although it did not yet appear to influence levels in those under the age of 60. But the researchers cautioned that blood tests are not yet suitable for diagnosis. 'In order to reliably use blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis in the future, more research is needed across different populations and age groups to standardise reference values,' Ms Rovio said. Marja Heiskanen, another senior researcher involved in the project, said the findings offer new insight into brain health from middle age onwards. 'Until now, brain biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease have mainly been studied in older individuals. Our study provides new insights into biomarker levels and associated factors starting from middle age,' she said.
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Lacking key vitamin in childhood could raise risk of deadly heart disease in later life, scientists warn
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHILDREN lacking a key vitamin may be at higher risk of heart disease later in life, scientists say. It's been estimated that almost 20 per cent of children in the UK and one in six adults don't have enough vitamin D in their body. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Being low in vitamin D as a child could increase the risk of heart disease later in life Credit: Alamy The nutrient - which can be derived through sun exposure and diet - is one of many vitamins the body needs to stay healthy, as it helps maintain bones, teeth and muscles. Severe vitamin D deficiency in children could lead to bone deformities called rickets. As for adults, they can be struck with bone pain and muscle weakness, as well as fatigue and mood changes. Now a new study published to the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggests that low vitamin D levels in children could be linked to the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in adulthood. Atherosclerosis is when the arteries get clogged up and narrowed due to a buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries. It's a potentially serious condition as it's the cause of most heart attacks and strokes, according to the British Heart Foundation. Researchers suggested their findings may pave the way for identifying early risk factors for heart disease. Previous studies on adults have shown that low vitamin D levels could be linked to an increased risk of heart disease. The new study was conducted by scientists at Turku University Hospital and the University of Turku in Finland, who'd previously found that low vitamin D levels in childhood was linked to signs of atherosclerosis adulthood. Due to this, vitamin D deficiencies could increase the risk of heart disease, the researchers said. Emma Willis, 48, reveals she underwent secret surgery on her HEART after shock diagnosis But they set out to examine whether low vitamin D levels during childhood could predict someone's likelihood of suffering a heart attack or stroke in later life. Researchers used data from from 3,516 who participated in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study. Using frozen samples collected in 1980, when participants were between three and 18 years old, they measured levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. This is the primary circulating form of vitamin D and considered to be the most reliable measure of overall vitamin D levels. On average, children had a vitamin D level of 51.3 nmol/L. Researchers also had access to data on participants' body mass index (BMI), levels of fat in the blood, blood pressure, dietary habits, socioeconomic status, physical activity levels and smoking habits. They were able to identify whether the children eventually suffered a cardiovascular events by going through national health registries. A total of 95 participants - just under 3 per cent - experienced at least one atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event, usually around the age of 47. Sources of vitamin D It's recommended that young children and babies be given a vitamin D supplement year-round, while older children and adults take one in the autumn and winter months when there' s less sunlight. Babies up to the age of one need 8.5 to 10 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D a day. Meanwhile, children and adults need 10 mcg of vitamin D a day. Vitamin D is also found in a small number of foods. Sources include: oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel red meat liver (avoid liver if you are pregnant) egg yolks fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals Source: NHS Researchers also sought to find out if certain vitamin D concentrations — 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, and 43 nmol/L — were more strongly linked to heart disease. Researchers found that low levels of vitamin D during childhood were linked to a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events in adulthood. This was especially the case for children who with vitamin D levels lower than 37 nmol/L. For example, children with vitamin D levels below 35 nmol/L had more than double the risk of heart disease compared to those with higher levels. Researchers noted that - as their study was observational - they couldn't show that low vitamin D levels directly cause cardiovascular events in later life, only that the two are linked. But they said their findings support current recommendations for maintaining vitamin D levels in children. The NHS recommends that babies and children between the ages of one and four should take a daily vitamin D supplement throughout the year. It's also advised that older children and adults take supplements during the autumn and winter, when we can't make enough vitamin D from sunlight.
