A recent population study conducted in Finland has revealed that signs related to Alzheimer’s disease may already be present in the brain during middle age. This groundbreaking research suggests that blood-based biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease could potentially allow for the early detection of the condition. By identifying these biomarkers in individuals at a younger age, it may be possible to target preventive treatments at the right individuals before the disease progresses to a more severe stage.
As the global population continues to age, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is on the rise. The processes that lead to the development of these conditions often begin years or even decades before any noticeable cognitive decline, such as memory loss, occurs.
The study, conducted at the University of Turku, found that middle-aged individuals may already exhibit high levels of blood-based biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease, with these levels increasing as individuals grow older. One interesting discovery was that individuals with high biomarker concentrations in their parents, particularly mothers, were more likely to have elevated biomarker levels themselves in middle age. Additionally, the study found a potential link between kidney disease and higher levels of biomarkers in middle-aged individuals.
The presence of the APOE ε4 gene, which is known to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, was associated with higher levels of blood-based biomarkers in older age but not yet in middle age.
This research is part of the national Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, which is coordinated by the Research Center of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Turku. The findings of the study have been published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
In the near future, it may be possible to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease using a simple blood sample. This method offers a cost-effective way to identify individuals at high risk of developing the disease and prioritize them for early intervention. However, more research is needed to establish standardized reference values for these biomarkers and to account for any confounding factors that may affect their concentrations in the blood.
The study measured biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease in blood samples from middle-aged participants and their parents, providing valuable insights into the early detection of the disease. This research opens up new possibilities for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease at an earlier stage and implementing targeted preventive measures.
For more information on the study, you can refer to the publication in The Lancet Healthy Longevity with the DOI: 10.1016/j.lanhl.2025.100717.
This content was provided by the University of Turku and is subject to copyright. For more information on the study and its findings, you can visit the University of Turku’s website.
