Early detection of Alzheimer's in the pipeline

A boost of $1.6 million for new research into Alzheimer's Disease for Australian scientists means that the early detection of the disease could well be in the pipeline.

Scientists at the University of Queensland (UQ) along with a team from the Medical University of South Carolina are working together to develop much needed methods for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and afflicts more than 26 million people.

The Queensland Premier Anna Bligh announced that $808,000 from the National and International Research Alliances Program has been awarded to support the three-year project, to add to the $810,000 from the two universities.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said the team would aim to develop Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease.

Professor Greenfield says even though Alzheimer's Disease is known to be the most common cause of dementia, only around 60 percent of cases are diagnosed.

He says the new method will be non-invasive and will enable early diagnosis as well as safer monitoring of the progression of the illness.

Professor Greenfield says the biomarkers would also be used to assess the efficacy of new and emerging drugs that aim to delay or arrest the advance of Alzheimer's Disease.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Professor David Siddle says early detection would have other important implications for patients, their families and carers and give them more time to plan their futures and to access resources.

The team which involves UQ's Brain Institute, the Centre for Magnetic Resonance, the Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development/TetraQ and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, as well as the Neuroscience Institute of the Medical University of South Carolina, have been lauded for their success in winning the funds.

The researchers will use brain imaging equipment from both universities as part of the "sister states" of Queensland and South Carolina biotechnology alliance.

Another group of Australian researchers say they have also found a way to detect the signs of Alzheimer's disease earlier than was previously possible.

In a study led by the CSIRO a brain scan called PIB-PET has been shown to be able to detect high levels of the molecule beta-amyloid, which indicates someone has the disease up to 18 months before symptoms appear.

Professor David Ames, the study leader says the scanning technology may help researchers find ways to prevent the onset of the disease and could also lead to therapies to prevent it.

Professor Ames says at $1,000 per scan it is too expensive to be used for population screening but it will mean other tests can be validated against it.

Professor Ames says the quest is to find a blood test for Alzheimer's which detects the disease before symptoms appear and that is probably now within sight.