Dementia, which experts say increases with the prolongation of human life, is an advanced age disease known as dementia among the people. It is thought that the disease, which has been increasing rapidly in recent years, may be an important problem in the future. The data of the World Health Organization confirms this. According to these data, while there are currently 55 million dementia patients, this number is increasing day by day and it is predicted that it may reach 139 million by 2050.
Dementia is a general disease title, and Alzheimer’s is among the sub-titles of this disease. The earlier this disease can be detected, the faster the recovery and treatment process can begin. Researchers at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases identified some specific microRNAs as a result of experiments with humans, mice and laboratory samples, and found that dementia can be diagnosed early thanks to our blood.
“We need tests that provide early detection”
Thanks to this research, scientists doing research on dementia, which currently has no cure and for which studies are ongoing, may have paved the way for the tests needed to provide early diagnosis. Scientists; They identified three microRNAs associated with mental performance, with analyzes of 132 healthy volunteers, 53 elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and rats. It is thought that the identified microRNAs could show how dementia is taking over the brain and predict future risk. This could be very beneficial for the development of treatments.
Neurologist André Fischer, a scientist among the research team, stated that there is a need for tests to detect this before dementia begins. “When dementia symptoms occur, the brain is already severely damaged. Diagnosis after this moment is too late for the chance of effective treatment. Dementia is early. If it is diagnosed, it is more likely to affect the course of the disease in a positive way,” he said.