Blood Test May Predict Dementia 6 Years Early

A new blood test can warn of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases six years before symptoms appear, its makers say. The assessment, set to launch this summer, could allow patients to begin fighting the ailments early with through dietary changes, exercise and drugs, the Daily Mail reports. But some worry advance knowledge of the illnesses could cause inflated insurance premiums.

“There is currently no diagnostic test for any neurodegenerative disease on the market,” says a rep for Power3, the US-based test maker. The test measures 59 protein “biomarkers” in blood serum and gives patients a “probability score." Though Power3 calls the method 90% accurate, “larger studies need to be conducted before it can be confirmed as being helpful,” says an expert. (More Alzheimer's disease stories.)