Alzheimer's disease patient Isidora Tomaz, 82, sits in her armchair with two chairs placed in front of her by her husband Amilcar Dos Santos (unseen) to prevent her from falling to the ground in their house in Lisbon
Alzheimer's disease patient Isidora Tomaz, 82, sits in her armchair with two chairs placed in front of her by her husband Amilcar Dos Santos (unseen) to prevent her from falling to the ground in their house in Lisbon September 15, 2009. Several low income Portuguese families with Alzheimer's patients under their care are supported by Portugal's Alzheimer Association, a charity. Alzheimer Europe estimates the number of Alzheimer's patients in the European Union alone to surpass 7.0 million. Reuters

A series of cognitive tests or examining the brain after death are no longer the only methods to detect Alzheimer's Disease. A new way was developed by a 15-year-old British boy who entered the test to the Google Science Fair Prize and was selected last week as a finalist.

With the test developed by Krtin Nithoyanandam of Epsom, Surrey, the medical condition could be diagnosed 10 years before the appearance of the first symptoms, reports The Telegraph. The “Trojan horse” antibody he developed penetrates the brain and attaches to neurotoxic proteins.

The proteins are found during the initial stages of Alzheimer’s. The antibodies penetrate through the blood-brain barrier, the extra layer of cellular material surrounding the brain’s blood vessels and blocker of anything absolutely essential to the brain.

The barrier is the reason behind the difficulty of diagnosing neurodegenerative ailments such as dementia. However, the latest lab test showed the antibodies capture the toxic proteins and prevent its further development, potentially stopping Alzheimer’s which kills about 60,000 people in the UK annually.

The diagnostic test also has therapeutic potential, according to new preliminary research, said the Brit teen who is a student at Sutton Grammar School and wants to study medicine when he goes to university. He pointed out that he chose to make a diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s because the disease kills more people yearly than prostate and breast cancer combined.

Krtin, who had auditory problems as a child, adds that Alzheimer’s is “one of the greatest medical challenges of the 21st century.” His test, one of the thousands that were submitted to Google, could get him a scholarship if it wins.

Alzheimer’s, a progressive ailment, destroys memory and other vital mental functions, according to Mayo Clinic. It causes dementia, resulting in loss of intellectual and social skills which interfere with daily life. The steady decline in memory and mental function of Alzheimer’s patients is due to the degeneration and death of brain cells.

To contact the writer, email: vittoriohernandez@yahoo.com

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