UCLA researchers have identified a promising blood-based marker that could detect early signs of cognitive decline, potentially offering a simpler and more cost-effective alternative to brain MRI scans. The discovery centers on a protein that plays a crucial role in both blood vessel formation and the vascular changes associated with cognitive impairment.
Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association | Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
For millions facing the prospect of cognitive decline and dementia, early detection remains a critical challenge. Now, a multicenter study led by UCLA researchers has unveiled a potential breakthrough: a simple blood test that could identify those at risk before significant cognitive changes occur.
“We studied a protein in the blood that is critical in the formation of blood vessels but that also appears to play a role in vascular permeability associated with cognitive decline,” says Dr. Jason Hinman, vascular neurologist at UCLA Health and Interim Co-Director of the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Care at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
The research focuses on placental growth factor (PlGF), a protein whose elevated levels may signal developing brain changes. The study’s findings suggest that PlGF could serve as an early warning system, detecting problems before they become visible on traditional brain scans.
The investigation involved participants aged 55 and older from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, all of whom underwent both brain MRI scans and blood tests for PlGF levels. The researchers found that higher levels of PlGF were associated with increased fluid accumulation in the brain’s white matter and subsequent cognitive impairment.
Dr. Kyle Kern, the study’s first author and vascular neurologist at UCLA Health, emphasizes the practical implications: “As a biomarker for cerebral small vessel disease and the vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia, PlGF could be used as a cost-effective screening tool for identifying patients at risk for vascular brain injury before the insidious onset of cognitive decline.”
The research team envisions this blood test as particularly valuable for younger populations, where early intervention through lifestyle modifications and available treatments might prevent or reverse vascular injury before cognitive dysfunction sets in. The team is currently recruiting participants for follow-up studies to further validate their findings.
Glossary
- Placental Growth Factor (PlGF): A protein involved in blood vessel formation that may serve as an indicator of vascular changes in the brain
- White Matter Hyperintensities (WMH): Bright spots that appear on brain MRI scans, indicating areas of vascular-related brain injury
- Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (CSVD): A condition affecting small blood vessels in the brain that contributes to cognitive decline and dementia
Test Your Knowledge
What is the minimum age of participants in this study?
The study included participants who were 55 years or older.
What type of protein did researchers study as a potential biomarker?
The researchers studied placental growth factor (PlGF) as the potential biomarker.
How does this blood test approach differ from traditional methods of detecting cognitive decline?
Unlike traditional MRI scans that show “downstream” markers at the end of a cascade of events, this blood test could identify changes occurring earlier in the process, potentially before significant cognitive decline begins.
What is the relationship between PlGF, white matter free water, and cognitive status according to the study results?
The study found that elevated PlGF was associated with higher white matter free water accumulation, which explained 26% of the association between PlGF and Clinical Dementia Rating and 73% of the association between PlGF and white matter hyperintensities.
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