Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Feb 23, 2026 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
Medical News: Scientists from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, working alongside researchers from the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and KU Medical School, have reported findings that could bring medicine closer to a simple blood test for detecting early cognitive decline linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Their study focuses on a protein called clusterin and how chemical changes in this protein may reflect the transition from normal brain function to mild cognitive impairment and eventually Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists identify a blood protein change that may help detect early Alzheimer’s-related cognitive decline
A New Clue Hidden in Blood Proteins
Clusterin is a natural protein found in both blood and brain tissue. Its normal role is to help protect other proteins by acting like a molecular “helper,” preventing harmful clumping that can damage cells. In Alzheimer’s disease, harmful protein buildup in the brain is one of the main drivers of decline, and clusterin has been known to interact with these proteins. Researchers discovered that when clusterin undergoes oxidation — a chemical change caused by oxidative stress — its protective abilities may weaken, potentially contributing to disease progression.
This
Medical News report highlights how scientists focused on a specific altered form known as methionine-oxidized clusterin. Earlier research using animal models and brain tissue had suggested that this damaged form increases in Alzheimer’s disease, leading the team to investigate whether similar changes could be detected in blood, which would make testing much easier and less invasive for patients.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research included blood plasma samples from 132 individuals divided equally into three groups: healthy individuals with normal cognition, people with mild cognitive impairment, and patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Participants were around 76 years old on average, allowing researchers to reduce age-related differences between groups.
Scientists used specialized laboratory techniques to measure both total clusterin levels and the oxidized form. They then calculated a ratio showing how much damaged clusterin existed compared to total clusterin. This method helped researchers focus on the quality of the protein rather than just the quantity, making the findings more meaningful and reducing confusion caused by natural biological variation.
Key Findings That Stand Out
The results showed a clear and progressive pattern. Compared to healthy individuals, those with mild cognitive impairment showed about a 33 percent increase in oxidized clusterin levels, while Alzheimer’s patients showed approximately a 55 percent increase. These findings suggest that oxidative damage to clusterin rises as cognitive decline worsens.
Interestingly, the total amount of clu
sterin in the blood did not differ significantly between groups. This means that the important signal was not how much protein existed but how much of it had been chemically altered. Researchers also found that this marker showed promise in helping identify individuals with cognitive impairment when compared with standard clinical assessments, supporting its potential role as a supportive diagnostic tool.
Why This Matters for Everyday People
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease early remains a major challenge. Current methods often involve costly brain scans or invasive spinal fluid tests, which are not always accessible to everyone. A reliable blood test could change this situation dramatically by allowing doctors to monitor disease-related changes more easily and potentially earlier in the disease process.
Researchers emphasize that this blood marker would likely work best alongside existing diagnostic tools rather than replacing them. Combining different tests could improve accuracy and help doctors make better-informed decisions about treatment and monitoring. The team also plans future studies to see whether rising levels of oxidized clusterin can predict disease before noticeable symptoms appear.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that methionine-oxidized clusterin in blood plasma could become an important piece of the Alzheimer’s diagnosis puzzle. While more research is needed before the test can be widely used in clinics, the study provides encouraging evidence that changes in blood proteins may mirror the biological changes happening in the brain. If larger studies confirm these results, this approach could lead to earlier detection, better treatment timing, and improved outcomes for people at risk of cognitive decline, offering hope for a simpler and more accessible way to support Alzheimer’s diagnosis in the future.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Antioxidants.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/15/2/269
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