Lewy body disease ranks as the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, following Alzheimers disease. The connection is so clear that it might be justified to evaluate people over 60 years of age with an odor test and then continue with testing spine fluid if one wants to discover Lewy body disease early, according to Oskar Hansson.
If symptom-free individuals with reduced sense of odor were recognized, and the test for Lewy bodies was positive, they could get involved in drug trials intended at developing new medications that can stop the disease early,” says Oskar Hansson.
In a 2nd publication, the research group also studied over 800 people with cognitive problems and discovered that around one-fourth of them had a test result indicative of Lewy body illness. Approximately 50 percent of those with Lewy body illness also had a build-up of the proteins amyloid and tau, which are associated with Alzheimers illness.
Till very just recently, it was not possible to figure out with certainty, whether an individual with movement troubles or cognitive problems had Lewy bodies in the brain till after their death. And now, with a spine fluid test, it is possible to see if the person has the misfolded protein. Oskar Hanssons research study group has actually simply completed a big study involving over 1,100 people, none of whom initially showed any cognitive disabilities or motor problems. Nevertheless, it ended up that nearly 10 percent had Lewy bodies in their brains according to the spine fluid test. It is possible to detect Lewy body disease even before the very first signs appear.
” Despite the individuals not having any neurological or cognitive issues at the start of the research study, we observed that those with Lewy bodies in the brain subsequently experienced a decrease in their cognitive functions over time. They were also the ones who established Parkinsons disease or Lewy body dementia in the coming years,” states Oskar Hansson.
A fascinating finding was likewise that Lewy bodies are highly connected with a minimized sense of odor even before other symptoms have actually developed. The sense of odor also degrades as the disease progresses. The connection is so clear that it might be justified to evaluate people over 60 years of age with a smell test and then proceed with screening spinal fluid if one wants to spot Lewy body disease early, according to Oskar Hansson.
” Several drugs targeted at Lewy bodies are currently being established, with the hope of decreasing the illness. Most most likely, this kind of medication has the very best opportunity of working if administered early in the course of the illness. If symptom-free people with decreased sense of smell were recognized, and the test for Lewy bodies was positive, they could participate in drug trials aimed at developing brand-new medications that can halt the disease early,” states Oskar Hansson.
However, Oskar Hansson emphasizes that there are numerous causes of loss of odor that are not associated with Lewy body dementia, which is why screening with the spine fluid test is important.
Brain modifications that interact.
In a second publication, the research study group also studied over 800 people with cognitive difficulties and discovered that around one-fourth of them had a test result a sign of Lewy body illness. Around 50 percent of those with Lewy body illness also had a build-up of the proteins amyloid and tau, which are associated with Alzheimers disease.
” I think that this test for Lewy body disease will start being utilized fairly soon to improve the diagnostic and prognostic work-up in clinics that take care of people with movement disorders and cognitive signs,” says Oskar Hansson.
Oskar Hansson hopes that, much like for Alzheimers illness, it will be possible to develop a blood test for Lewy body illness. Among the difficulties with this is that the concentration of proteins originating from the brain is typically 100-1000 times lower in the blood than in the spine fluid, which can make it tough to discover Lewy body changes.
” On the other hand– 5 years ago we barely thought it would happen for Alzheimers illness, and now its a reality. We are investing a lot in fine-tuning the method, and I am positive about the future,” he concludes.
Referrals: “Clinical impacts of Lewy body pathology in cognitively impaired people” by Corinne Quadalti, Sebastian Palmqvist, Sara Hall, Marcello Rossi, Angela Mammana, Shorena Janelidze, Sofia Dellavalle, Niklas Mattsson-Carlgren, Simone Baiardi, Erik Stomrud, Oskar Hansson and Piero Parchi, 18 July 2023, Nature Medicine.DOI: 10.1038/ s41591-023-02449-7.
” Cognitive effects of Lewy body pathology in scientifically unimpaired people” by Sebastian Palmqvist, Marcello Rossi, Sara Hall, Corinne Quadalti, Niklas Mattsson-Carlgren, Sofia Dellavalle, Pontus Tideman, Joana B. Pereira, Maria H. Nilsson, Angela Mammana, Shorena Janelidze, Simone Baiardi, Erik Stomrud, Piero Parchi and Oskar Hansson, 18 July 2023, Nature Medicine.DOI: 10.1038/ s41591-023-02450-0.
Researchers have actually found that Lewy body disease can be recognized before sign start through a back fluid test. This breakthrough, based upon a study including over 1,100 people, exposed that nearly 10 percent had Lewy bodies in their brains, highlighting the possibility of early detection and the potential for timely therapeutic intervention.
Lewy body disease ranks as the 2nd most prevalent neurodegenerative condition, following Alzheimers illness. A team of scientists from Lund University has actually now figured out that the illness can be determined prior to the beginning of symptoms through a spine fluid test. The research studies are released in Nature Medicine, where the scientists likewise show that a lowered sense of odor is strongly connected to Lewy body disease even before other clear symptoms have established. The findings are also reported simultaneously at the Alzheimers Association International Conference.
The term Lewy body illness incorporates both Parkinsons disease and Lewy body dementia. The illness is referred to as Parkinsons disease when issues with motion are more prominent, while the term Lewy body dementia is used when cognitive decline takes precedence.
” Lewy body illness is brought on by the misfolding of the alpha-synuclein protein in the brain. When this takes place, the protein clumps together and forms what are called Lewy bodies, which damage the nerve cells,” states Oskar Hansson, Professor of Neurology at Lund University and senior expert at Skåne University Hospital..