Study researchers analyzed data gathered over a period of 10 years from 169 healthy individuals between the ages of 45 and 75. Researchers divided the participants into three groups: early-middle age (45â54), mid-range middle age (55â64) and late-range middle age (64â74).
Clinical evaluations were conducted on each participant that included brain scans, an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and cognitive functioning assessments.
The research team analyzed beta-amyloid 42 (protein clumps or plaques found in the brain), tau (a protein that helps stabilize tubes inside cells; levels of tau increase in spinal fluid when brain damage progresses), YKL-40 (a brain-cell protein that indicates inflammation) and amyloid plaques (clumps of amyloid protein in the brainâa trademark of Alzheimerâs).
Researchers discovered that drops in cerebrospinal beta-amyloid 42, for individuals between the ages of 45 and 54, were associated with the emergence of brain plaques later in life. Cerebrospinal levels of tau, and other markers of brain cell injury, rose for some participants once they reached their mid-50s to their mid-70s. YKL-40 levels rose across all groups.
The studyâs senior author, Anne Fagan, concludes that these biomarkers âmay be useful for targeting middle-aged, asymptomatic individuals for therapeutic trials designed to prevent cognitive decline.â She adds that since Alzheimerâs is a long-term process, they would have to observe people for a long period of time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that approximately five million Americans are living with Alzheimerâs disease.
Source for Todayâs Article:
Paddock, C., âMidlife changes in spinal fluid may predict Alzheimerâs,â Medical News Today web site, July 14, 2015; http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/296698.php.