US study: Blood biomarkers may help detect early memory decline

Researchers at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami in the United States have identified blood biomarkers that may help identify individuals at higher risk for memory loss and cognitive decline years before symptoms appear. According to the science website Science Alert, the study included 1,170 participants with an average age of 73. The results showed that elevated levels of the blood protein p-tau181 were associated with memory and cognitive decline after six years, while its levels were not associated with memory impairment at the initial testing, suggesting its potential utility as an early indicator of future cognitive changes. Other biomarkers examined by the researchers included Aβ42/40, which is linked to the accumulation of amyloid-beta protein in the brain—a hallmark change associated with Alzheimer’s disease; GFAP, which is associated with changes in brain support cells; and NfL, which may rise when damage occurs to nerve fibers.