A Test For Early Alzheimer's?
The Australian reports on claims of an easy, reliable test that can detect early stage Alzheimers: "In patients with Alzheimer's disease, a gunky material called amyloid built up around nerve cells and seemed to interfere with the way they worked. Amyloid is thought to cause inflammation and damage to the tiny blood vessels that supply oxygen to the nerves. Researchers at the University of Melbourne found this blood vessel damage could be detected outside the brain, on the skin." The lack of a good diagnostic test for early stage Alzheimer's (and other neurodegenerative conditions) has been a real problem across the board. A test would make research move faster and better medical treatment possible.
Link: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11689021%255E1702,00.html