Alzheimer's could soon be diagnosed through the use of a blood test, according to the results of a new study.
Research published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease revealed a unique biochemical diagnosis that could accurately identify individuals with the neurodegenerative condition.
Currently, Alzheimer's is diagnosed through family history information, mental assessment and physical examination. However, no conclusive diagnosis can be made until the post-mortem.
Lead author Dr Vassilios Papadopoulos said that an accurate, convenient and non-invasive test to diagnose Alzheimer's early on is "vital".
"We believe our results demonstrate that the DHEA-oxidation blood test can be used to diagnose Alzheimer's at a very early stage and monitor the effect of therapies and the evolution of the disease."
This follows news that taking a lithium supplement could slow down the progress of Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil found that the development of mild cognitive impairment was slowed down through the prescription of lithium.