Protein discovery may lead to early Alzheimer’s treatment
Researchers found a protein, TSPO, that could be targeted to treat Alzheimer's before symptoms start.
Why it matters
- Alzheimer’s often goes undetected until severe symptoms appear.
- Early treatment could delay symptoms by 5-6 years.
By the numbers
- TSPO levels increase with brain inflammation.
- Study involved mice and human brain samples from rare Alzheimer’s cases.
The big picture
- Early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's could improve patients' quality of life.
- TSPO could be a key biomarker for early diagnosis.
What they're saying
- Commenters question how to diagnose Alzheimer’s before symptoms start.
- Expert notes suggest TSPO could be part of a panel of diagnostics.
Caveats
- More research needed to confirm findings and develop treatments.
What’s next
- Further studies to validate TSPO as an early biomarker.
- Development of diagnostic tools based on TSPO levels.