A research the University of Navarra concludes that some patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) will develop Alzheimer’s disease in the future. The study, which focuses on detecting early signs of the condition, is based on a multidisciplinary analysis multidisciplinary data from a sample 300 individuals at the University Clinic.

This doctorate work , authored by Lluís Samaranch, a researcher at research center Applied research center (CIMA), supports the theory that most patients with MCI are in an intermediate stage that will lead to severe impairment. "However," clarifies the new PhD from the School of Science, "not all cases with mild impairment will develop the condition."

To reach this conclusion, the team from the University report Disorders Unit looked for early signs of the disease: "In addition to the neuropsychological and neuroimaging markers involved, our finding important finding is finding —or positron emission tomography—is a highly effective technique for measuring the risk of MCI progression," emphasizes Dr. Pablo Martínez-Lage, director the thesis

Under the degree scroll "Alzheimer's disease in the prodromal phase. cross-sectional analysis and identification of markers of progression to dementia in a prospective series of patients with mild cognitive impairment", this research multidisciplinary counted with the partnership of neuropsychologists, nurses and engineers.

A sample of 299 individuals were studied for more than 17 months. Of these, 103 suffered from mild cognitive impairment; 80 had subjective complaints of report; 62 suffered from Alzheimer's disease; and 54 belonged to the control group , composed of volunteers from the association de Donantes de Sangre de Navarra.

All underwent neuropsychological tests, MRI scans, analyses of various types and an examination of genetic risk markers, among other procedures. As a result, the team concluded that the disease can be identified in early stages before irreversible damage occurs, "although expensive techniques, such as PET, are required," warns Lluís Samaranch.

Therefore, they insist on the need to search for new biochemical markers that are more affordable and simpler but with the same predictive capacity: "This way we could carry out therapeutic interventions in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, when there is a greater chance of success," says Dr. Martínez-Lage.