A new study suggests that a simple blood test could help detect dementia years before symptoms appear. Researchers have found that people with a sleep disorder called idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) may have a higher risk of developing dementia. This disorder causes individuals to physically act out their dreams during sleep and is closely linked to Parkinson’s disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies.
Scientists at McGill University discovered that a blood test originally designed for Alzheimer’s disease could also identify iRBD patients who are more likely to develop Dementia with Lewy Bodies. The test measures two proteins in the blood that serve as early warning signs of Alzheimer’s, providing insight into future dementia risk.
In the study, researchers tracked 150 iRBD patients, analyzing their blood and monitoring their health over several years. The results showed that the test could predict dementia in nearly 90% of patients who later developed the disease, even when taken four years in advance.
This breakthrough suggests a closer link between Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Dementia with Lewy Bodies than previously thought. Experts believe that Alzheimer’s treatments could be tested on people with iRBD to see if early intervention can prevent dementia.
Dr. Ronald Postuma, a neurology professor at McGill, emphasized the potential impact of early detection, stating that identifying dementia risk sooner could help doctors provide better guidance and treatment. Lead researcher Dr. Aline Delva hopes further studies will confirm the test’s accuracy in predicting dementia in Parkinson’s patients and other at-risk groups.
The findings could pave the way for early diagnosis and new treatments, giving patients and families more time to prepare and explore possible preventive measures.
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