Award Banner
Award Banner

Alzheimer’s diagnosis revamp embraces rating scale similar to cancer diagnoses

Alzheimer’s diagnosis revamp embraces rating scale similar to cancer diagnoses
Current guidelines for Alzheimer’s diagnosis incorporate technologies for detecting Alzheimer’s proteins based on PET scans of the brain and tests of cerebrospinal fluid.
PHOTO: Reuters

AMSTERDAM - Alzheimer's disease experts are revamping the way doctors diagnose patients with the progressive brain disorder, the most common type of dementia, by devising a seven-point rating scale based on cognitive and biological changes in the patient.

The proposed guidelines, unveiled by experts on Sunday (July 16) in a report issued at an Alzheimer's Association conference in Amsterdam, embrace a numerical staging system assessing disease progression similar to the one used in cancer diagnoses. They also eliminate the use of terms like mild, moderate and severe.

The revamp - replacing guidelines issued in 2018 - was prompted by the increased availability of tests detecting key Alzheimer's-related proteins such as beta amyloid in the blood and new treatments that require confirmation of disease pathology prior to use.

The new system is designed to be more accurate and better reflect a person's underlying disease, according to Dr Clifford Jack of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, lead author of the report sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute of Aging, a part of the United States government's National Institutes of Health.

The change comes at a time when doctors are preparing to identify and treat patients with Eisai's and Biogen's drug Leqembi, which won Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in July, and Eli Lilly's experimental drug donanemab, which is now under FDA review.

Dr Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimer's Association, said: "We really are getting into an era of much more personalised medicine, where we're starting to understand that there are certain biomarkers that are elevated to certain degrees in people in different stages."

Under the new diagnostic approach, patients will receive a score of one to seven based on the presence of abnormal disease biomarkers and the extent of cognitive changes. The system also includes four biological stages ranked a, b, c and d. For example, Stage 1a is when a person is completely asymptomatic but has abnormal biomarkers.

Dr Jack said: "Stage 1a is really the beginning of evidence that someone has the disease."

In Stage two, an individual may have abnormal biomarkers and very subtle changes in cognition or behaviour. Stage three is roughly equivalent to the current presymptomatic stage known as mild cognitive impairment, while stages four, five, and six are equivalent to mild, moderate and severe dementia.

The new scale also includes a Stage zero for people who carry genes that guarantee they will develop Alzheimer's. This category includes people with Down syndrome, 75 per cent of whom develop Alzheimer's as adults.

Noting the new system's similarity to cancer stages, Dr Jack said: "There's no such thing as mild breast cancer. They're numeric stages."

Dr Jack also noted that many other conditions can cause dementia, but not all dementia is Alzheimer's disease.

The proposed guidelines are intended for doctors to use in clinical practice as many face the prospect for the first time of offering patients treatments that can slow the course of the disease, rather than just treat symptoms.

The draft guidelines are open for expert review and comment and will be revised later to reflect that input, according to a spokesman for the Alzheimer's Association.

Alzheimer's, which gradually destroys memory and thinking skills, is characterised by changes in the brain including amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary, or tau, tangles that result in loss of neurons and their connections.

The 2018 guidelines, which were intended for research use, incorporated existing technologies for detecting Alzheimer's proteins based on positron emission tomography scans of the brain and tests of cerebrospinal fluid, which were accessible only via a lumbar puncture. Such tests were costly and not typically used in standard medical practice.

ALSO READ: 'It totally backfired': The pitfalls of Alzheimer's genetic testing

Source: Reuters

homepage

trending

trending
    Chinese singer Curley Gao visits alma mater Dunman High School while in Singapore, buys Milo nuggets and McDonald's fries
    6 coffee shops suspended on same day following violations relating to toilet cleanliness
    Local stars give support to new eateries by Wang Yuqing and Tang Miaoling's daughter
    'We cannot serve money': Singapore family with 4 children live on single income without tuition or travel
    'As long as I'm able and still relevant, I'll be around': PSP chairman Tan Cheng Bock says he'll contest GE2025
    Pope Francis in critical condition after health deteriorates, Vatican says
    'A tough decision': People's Power Party quits People's Alliance for Reform led by Lim Tean
    Zhang Yaodong, accused of fathering children with multiple women, reportedly no longer with Mediacorp
    Australian man gets jail, fine for verbally abusing ICA officers and using another person's passport to attempt leaving Singapore
    'Cheated death': Pipe punctures lorry windscreen at Yishun junction
    'Sometimes he will show me pity': Tay Ping Hui's assistant reveals his quirks, goes on hiking trip with him
    Long-awaited reunion: Apink left crying by fans' surprise video in Singapore concert

Singapore

Singapore
    • Jail for woman who livestreamed sex act at HDB void deck and husband
    • Nearly 10 years' jail for payroll staff who stole $5.7m to fund lavish lifestyle, including $3.7m penthouse
    • Tiong Bahru Market to close for 3-month renovation from April 14
    • Singaporean killed in Spain: Prosecution pursues murder charge against Mitchell Ong
    • 'Nice to be called ah boy': Rare hormonal condition leaves 41-year-old looking forever young
    • 'I want them to know I haven't stopped studying': Inmate and mum of 2 takes A-levels to inspire her kids
    • 2-year-old sexually assaulted in pre-school: 4 more charged for allegedly covering up incident
    • Singapore sees spike in speeding violations as deaths in speeding-related accidents rise by 43.8%
    • Hawkers must personally operate stalls to prevent subletting, says NEA after hawker's viral complaint
    • Your job, your rights: What Singapore's new Workplace Fairness Legislation means for you and your employers

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Dylan Wang, Angela Chang, Li Qin and more to attend Yuewen Global IP Awards at Resorts World Sentosa on Feb 28
    • 'I would be grateful if I'm still known at 40': Jackson Wang ponders life, fame, happiness
    • G-Dragon and Elton John to perform at Singapore F1 race
    • 5 new and upcoming shows to watch starring G-Dragon, Lee Dong-wook and Bai Jingting
    • Rihanna describes ageing as 's***, but also a blessing'
    • Denise Richards told she would be 'blacklisted' if she spoke about sexual harassment she endured as young actress
    • Dolly Parton teams up with children's group The Wiggles on unexpected collab
    • Ariana Grande plays Monopoly online with strangers
    • Grimes begs Elon Musk to get in touch about 'medical crisis' with 1 of their children
    • Ugly Betty actor Eric Mabius arrested for battery

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • 'Thank you for being part of our journey': Prata Wala announces closure, sole remaining franchised outlet to rebrand
    • Popular Uncle Lee Confectionery launches vending machine in Woodleigh
    • I tried chef Mathew Leong's pop-up blending Asian and Nordic fare, and I wish it lasted more than 5 days
    • Manhattan Fish Market closes last Singapore outlet in Northpoint City
    • All aboard: Best train journeys to explore Europe during the off-peak season
    • Mercedes-Benz Singapore's new charging service combines access to over 3,000 EV charging stations in one app
    • Visit Jordan: Discover a land where time stands still
    • 10 practical tips to renovate a family-friendly 4-room HDB flat for 3 kids
    • BMW iX2 review: Just an electrified version of the X2?
    • Dancing in Damascus: Syrians cling to culture under Islamists' rule

Digicult

Digicult
    • A $500 wake-up call: How the Samsung Galaxy Ring made me realise my stress
    • Monster Hunter Wilds producer explains how game has remained unique and fresh over 20 years
    • Embracing the future: A personal guide to how to get started with artificial intelligence
    • Australian children able to bypass age limit set by social media platforms, report shows
    • South Korea spy agency says DeepSeek 'excessively' collects personal data
    • Paris AI summit draws world leaders and CEOs eager for technology wave
    • Prism+ Sentinel Door Lock and Sentry Pro Gate Lock review: Say hello to hands-free convenience
    • Russian TV falls for fake report on DeepSeek's 'Soviet code'
    • Italy says 7 people targeted by spyware on WhatsApp
    • Australia bans DeepSeek on government devices citing security concerns

Money

Money
    • Singapore's economy grew 4.4% in 2024, beating forecasts
    • DBS to give staff $1,000 special bonus, introduce capital return dividend
    • How much money do insurance agents in Singapore make from your policies?
    • 'Wow, an additional ang bao': Singaporeans weigh in on Budget 2025 announcements
    • Singapore company sued by Novo Nordisk over $1.7b hypertension drug deal
    • Trump says unfair to US if Musk builds factory in India
    • Budget 2025: Singapore children aged 12 and below to get $500 LifeSG credits
    • Budget 2025: Eligible Singaporeans to receive up to $800 in vouchers for SG60
    • More CDC vouchers, $500 Edusave top-up: What you should know about Budget 2025
    • Budget 2025: Additional $100 worth of Climate Vouchers, programme to be extended to Singaporeans living in private properties

Latest

Latest
  • Pope Francis had 'tranquil' night in hospital, Vatican says
  • China accuses Australia of 'hyping' Chinese naval drills
  • Trump to name FBI chief Patel as acting ATF director: Source
  • Latin America prays for Francis, region's first pope
  • Israel says it is postponing release of Palestinian prisoners
  • Musk orders US federal workers to report on work by Monday or resign
  • North Korea says it sees more US 'military provocations' under Trump
  • Gloomy Germans vote in election which conservatives are set to win
  • 2 Israeli hostages return after a decade in Gaza

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • 10-year-old girl hurt by pebbles thrown from condo's 11th storey by toddler
  • Truck driver flees in hit-and-run involving 2 motorcyclists on SLE
  • Malaysia to build $786 million integrated property comprising mall, apartments and hotel next to JB-Singapore RTS Link station
  • Man slashed by cleaver in drunken fight near JB checkpoint
  • Third train disruption in less than a week: Circle Line resumes service after signalling fault
  • Car plunges from 3rd floor of Malaysian building after driver accidentally floors accelerator
  • New ICA services centre to open in April, public can self-collect identity cards and passports there from July
  • Selangor mall shooting: Manhunt underway for suspect who fired at janitor, hijacked car
  • WP new faces hit the ground in areas like Tampines and Punggol; party may contest over 30 seats in GE2025: Observers
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.