Blood test predicts onset of Alzheimer's

10-16-2007, 04:13 PM

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/...lzheimers.html

Blood test predicts onset of Alzheimer's

Quote:

A blood test has been developed that can reveal Alzheimer's two to six years before its onset, say researchers at Stanford University.

The test identifies a "dialogue" between key proteins in the blood that highlights changes in brain function with an accuracy rate of 90 per cent compared to clinical diagnosis.

Very cool

xoxoxoBruce · 10-16-2007, 06:31 PM

Yes, very good news. Hopefully they'll improve on the accuracy and time.

Aliantha · 10-16-2007, 06:35 PM

I saw this on a current affairs show a couple of nights ago. Apparently there are negative implications also, such as problems getting health insurance if you know you're a candidate.

I think it's good though. Maybe people will benefit from knowing earlier, especially if research proves that like some cancers, early detection can mean erradiaction.

TheMercenary · 10-16-2007, 07:58 PM

Ali, I was going to bring that up as well. The "markers" being discovered for numerous illnesses is potentially going to make people uninsurable. If you get the test and results and knowingly do not claim that you have the knowledge of the said results on your inusrance could be fraud. At the least they insurance company may be able to deny your claims.

10-16-2007, 07:59 PM

Won't it piss god off when we tell those he is about to smite about it in advance?

Aliantha · 10-16-2007, 08:11 PM

At this stage it has nothing to do with god. Only living breathing human beings.

ZenGum · 10-17-2007, 12:54 PM

Re: becoming uninsurable

I suggest that this is one more reason why universal (i.e. government) health cover is a good thing. Everyone is automatically included, no-one can be refused, and the burden is spread as widely as possible.

Cloud · 10-17-2007, 01:26 PM

I think it's too late for me!

Sundae · 10-17-2007, 03:37 PM

I would want to go quietly if I knew Alzheimer's was in the post.
I feel like a burden on my family while I'm able to talk and appreciate them in person, let alone if they became frightening strangers to me.

Mum thinks Dad has Alzheimer's. Well, she says she does, I think it's the meanest thing she can think to say to him when his forgetfulness annoys her. The downside of an older husband I guess. I'll tell her about the test, that might make her stop and consider what she's actually saying.

Aliantha · 10-17-2007, 06:12 PM

If that's the meanest thing she ever says then she's doing ok SG.

In fact, I've just spent this morning telling my husband he's an idiot because he got the time of his flight wrong and so there's been a whole knock on effect today. It has been fairly light hearted and all, and not meant to be hurtful. Just a statement of fact really. What kind of an idiot gets their flight time wrong??? I ask you!

10-17-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Re: becoming uninsurable

I suggest that this is one more reason why universal (i.e. government) health cover is a good thing. Everyone is automatically included, no-one can be refused, and the burden is spread as widely as possible.

Who is going to tell your insurance company? In the US that is illegal.

ZenGum · 10-18-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

Who is going to tell your insurance company? In the US that is illegal.

Aliantha and Mercenary (posts 3 and 4) raised the issue. Even if no one else is allowed to tell the insurance company, as Merc points out, the patient has to (or may have to, I don't know the law over there). Its in the full disclosure bit.

Aliantha · 10-18-2007, 05:12 PM

Exactly. So if they make a claim relating to their alzhiemers, they'll of course look into the patients medical history and discover that the patient knew all along what was coming (just for those who still don't get it).

xoxoxoBruce · 10-18-2007, 08:53 PM

Not if you get the test under an assumed name and don't bill your insurance for it. Neat little sideline for labs.

Clodfobble · 10-18-2007, 09:05 PM

By the time Alzheimer's sets in, aren't most people old enough for Medicare anyway? '2 to 6 years before' isn't that much younger.

10-16-2007, 06:35 PM	#3
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	I saw this on a current affairs show a couple of nights ago. Apparently there are negative implications also, such as problems getting health insurance if you know you're a candidate. I think it's good though. Maybe people will benefit from knowing earlier, especially if research proves that like some cancers, early detection can mean erradiaction. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

10-16-2007, 07:58 PM	#4
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Ali, I was going to bring that up as well. The "markers" being discovered for numerous illnesses is potentially going to make people uninsurable. If you get the test and results and knowingly do not claim that you have the knowledge of the said results on your inusrance could be fraud. At the least they insurance company may be able to deny your claims. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

10-16-2007, 08:11 PM	#6
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	At this stage it has nothing to do with god. Only living breathing human beings. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

10-17-2007, 01:26 PM	#8
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	I think it's too late for me! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

10-17-2007, 03:37 PM	#9
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I would want to go quietly if I knew Alzheimer's was in the post. I feel like a burden on my family while I'm able to talk and appreciate them in person, let alone if they became frightening strangers to me. Mum thinks Dad has Alzheimer's. Well, she says she does, I think it's the meanest thing she can think to say to him when his forgetfulness annoys her. The downside of an older husband I guess. I'll tell her about the test, that might make her stop and consider what she's actually saying. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

10-16-2007, 06:31 PM	#2
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Yes, very good news. Hopefully they'll improve on the accuracy and time.

10-16-2007, 07:59 PM	#5
rkzenrage Guest Posts: n/a	Won't it piss god off when we tell those he is about to smite about it in advance?

10-17-2007, 12:54 PM	#7
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Re: becoming uninsurable I suggest that this is one more reason why universal (i.e. government) health cover is a good thing. Everyone is automatically included, no-one can be refused, and the burden is spread as widely as possible.

10-17-2007, 06:12 PM	#10
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	If that's the meanest thing she ever says then she's doing ok SG. In fact, I've just spent this morning telling my husband he's an idiot because he got the time of his flight wrong and so there's been a whole knock on effect today. It has been fairly light hearted and all, and not meant to be hurtful. Just a statement of fact really. What kind of an idiot gets their flight time wrong??? I ask you! __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

10-18-2007, 05:12 PM	#13
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Exactly. So if they make a claim relating to their alzhiemers, they'll of course look into the patients medical history and discover that the patient knew all along what was coming (just for those who still don't get it). __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

10-18-2007, 08:53 PM	#14
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Not if you get the test under an assumed name and don't bill your insurance for it. Neat little sideline for labs.

10-18-2007, 09:05 PM	#15
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	By the time Alzheimer's sets in, aren't most people old enough for Medicare anyway? '2 to 6 years before' isn't that much younger.

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