Researchers in a recent study have suggested that certain biomarkers could provide indication about the early development of Alzheimer’s disease, years before any symptoms of the disease appear.

A team of doctors investigating the diseases discovered that this progressive mental disorder might already have started to develop in brain years before its symptoms get detected.

A team of researchers from the Indiana University has shown that the best-known genetic variant associated with Alzheimer’s disease could be the reason for encouraging the buildup of plaque in the brain. Study researchers said that the brain plaque can lead to memory loss and can also lower the cognitive ability.

Researchers during the study examined older adults with ‘significant memory concerns’. These study participants also faced trouble in remembering things in recent months or years.

Study authors Shannon L. Risacher and Andrew J. Saykin analyzed genetic data from almost 600 participants, and scanned them for the APOE e4 gene and its variants.’
The results showed that among the group of participants with significant memory concerns, there was evidence of Alzheimer’s-like pathologies in people who carried the gene.

Researchers even noted biomarkers in these participants including increased levels of amyloid plaque, decreased levels of the protein precursor to these plaques in the cerebrospinal fluid, and increased levels of tau, another protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers affirmed that despite the presence of these biomarkers, there was no evidence of decreased glucose metabolism or atrophy of certain structures in the brain.

The study findings suggested that Alzheimer’s disease could begin developing way sooner than anyone thought.