Combination of diagnostic approaches ‘can help Alzheimer’s diagnoses’

New research has found that a combination of diagnostic tests can improve the prediction of Alzheimer's disease.

Published online in the journal Radiology, the study by the Alzheimer's Disease Research Lab at Duke University in the US looked at how imaging and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers can be used to detect when patients have moved from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's.

"Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, there are four symptomatic treatments that might provide some benefits," said Dr P Murali Doraiswamy, co-author of the study.

"Developing the right combination of diagnostic tests is critical to make sure we enable an accurate and early diagnosis in patients."

The researchers found that combining diagnostic tests such as magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography with routine clinical tests increased the accuracy of predicting conversion from MCI to Alzheimer's.

Figures from the World Health Organization indicated that more than 35 million people worldwide are now living with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. Cases of the progressive, incurable condition are expected to double by 2030.