American television channel Fox News reported last week on a groundbreaking approach to the fight against Alzheimer's and dementia, emphasizing the critical role of early diagnosis and proactive intervention.
The innovative approach presented in Melissa Rudy's article dealt with the real potential of delaying and slowing the progression of Alzheimer's. The article also noted that the deaths recorded as a result of Alzheimer's disease in the United States jumped 141% from 2000 to 2021, and today approximately 6.9 million Americans are living with the disease, according to a new report by the Alzheimer's Association.
One of the most striking aspects of this new approach is the emphasis on early detection. Because the progress of scientific knowledge, in the ability to diagnose and especially through advanced laboratory tests, now allow earlier and more accurate detection of the disease. The early diagnosis significantly increases the chance of benefiting from old drugs to reduce symptoms, from new drugs to clear the amyloid protein and joining clinical trials of future treatments.
In this context, Prof. David Tana, a neurology expert, director of the Institute for Stroke and Cognition at Rambam, states that: "An early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can help in the process of examining suitability for receiving drug treatment that can slow down the course of the disease, only if it is given in an initial stage where it is may still be effective. At the same time, such an early diagnosis can also encourage a fundamental change in lifestyle in order to delay the progression of the disease."
Prof. Tana, the outgoing chairman of the Neurological Association, who serves as a consultant for a new blood test in Israel for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's called AD-Detect even explained that: "Neurologists in Israel and around the world can diagnose Alzheimer's disease accurately and at an early stage using innovative biological markers and not only with old clinical methods which we have used until today. The accurate early diagnosis is the beginning of a revolution in the field and provides the possibility of pharmaceutical intervention and lifestyle changes to slow down and delay the disease processes."
Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease of the brain and is the most common cause of dementia in old age. In Israel, according to the estimate of the Amda association, about 150,000 women and men are currently dealing with dementia and Alzheimer's. According to the Ministry of Health's forecast, by the year 2050, the number of patients in Israel will triple. The first drug that is given by infusion into the vein and is effective in the early stage of the disease, was already approved by the FDA in July 2023 and another drug is expected to be approved soon. At the same time, many studies have already linked the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and delaying the onset of symptoms of the disease.
The new blood test called AD-Detect and intended for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's with a high level of accuracy using biological markers (biomarkers) is exclusively represented in Israel by the Medical Link company. The test makes it possible to detect a high concentration of amyloid beta protein which indicates the presence of Alzheimer's. The test was developed by the American diagnostics giant Quest Diagnostics, which even decodes the blood samples that are sent from Israel on a flight to a laboratory in California. The test is already available in Israel and is intended for women and men of any age who have a referral from a doctor who, as part of the medical investigation of their cognitive status, were referred for further testing. The test is included in most private health insurances and the Medical Link company estimates that the supplementary insurances of the health funds are also expected to join soon. To make an appointment, call the Medical Link hotline staffed 24/7 at 5901* or go to the website at the following address: https://ad-detect.co.il
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