A new scientific study brings great hope in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that the risk of developing them can be identified up to seven years before symptoms appear.
According to research published in the journal Gastroenterology, researchers from the University of Aberdeen have discovered that changes in specific proteins in the gut could serve as early indicators for diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and motor neurone disease (MND).
The study's lead author, Professor Jenna Gregory, stressed that "we are seeing clear evidence that pathological protein changes associated with these diseases occur in the gut many years earlier than previously thought." According to her, this opens up new opportunities for early diagnosis and preventive interventions.
The study involved analyzing intestinal biopsies from 196 people over the age of 60 who had unexplained gastrointestinal problems but no neurological disease at the time of testing. The participants were followed for about 14 years to monitor the possible development of these diseases.
The results showed that in about 60% of cases, abnormalities were found in proteins such as TDP-43, alpha-synuclein and Tau – the latter closely linked to Alzheimer's. People with these changes were significantly more likely to develop forms of dementia or diseases such as Parkinson's.
According to the researchers, intestinal biopsies were able to predict the disease in over 80% of cases, while individuals with higher levels of damaged proteins also had a lower probability of survival.
Dr. Angus Watson, co-author of the study, said that these findings could lead to the use of routine tests for the early identification of patients at risk, paving the way for preventive treatments and lifestyle changes.
Experts emphasize that, although further studies are required for confirmation, this discovery represents an important step towards moving from delayed diagnosis to active prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
Currently, these diseases remain among the greatest challenges to global health, with a continuous increase in cases and a lack of definitive treatments. Such discoveries could fundamentally change the way they are identified and treated in the future. /GazetaExpress/
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