To decrease dementia, it is expected to find and cure the disease at an early stage. Light cognitive disorder (MCI) is a quite early stage before becoming dementia, and even the previous symptom of MCI, it is thought to be pre-clinical stage without the symptom of the sickness. In terms of Alzheimer's diseases, it is said that amyloidβ peptide accumulates inside of the brain as a disease factor even 20 years before getting sick.

The research team led by Kazuhiko Uchida of the University of Tsukuba's Faculty of Medicine proved that the proteins inside of the brain to eliminate amyloid βpeptide can work as biomarker to recognize the decrease of cognitive function.

This study successfully identified cognitive function levels by 80 % accuracy, using the analysis of combined three serum proteins. The study also confirmed the re-productivity by the independent cohort study. In near future, the research team would improve the accuracy of identifying cognitive function levels and would use biomarker for screening diseases at an early stage and treating before getting sick due to dementia during the further long-term cohort studies.

Original Paper