Diagnostic biomarkers in saliva show promise in recognizing early Alzheimer's disease
Their study, "Diagnostic Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease as Identified in Saliva using 1 H NMR-Based Metabolomics" was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease . Investigators found salivary molecules hold promise as reliable diagnostic biomarkers. The study exemplifies the quest by scientists to combat Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative brain disorder with no cure and few reliable diagnostic tests. In the United States, Alzheimer's is a health epidemic affecting more than 5 million Americans. Investigators seek to develop valid and reliable biomarkers, diagnosing the disease in its earliest stages before brain damage occurs and dementia begins. Researcher Stewart Graham, Ph.D., said, "We used metabolomics, a newer technique to study molecules involved in metabolism . Our goal was to find unique patterns of molecules in the saliva of our study participants that could be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in the earliest stages, w...