The early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease is a difficult task due to the unique properties of the disorder which has made the search for a cheap and noninvasive test so critical. Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other research institutes have discovered that the disease produces a unique odor that can be detected in the urine of the sufferer. The early discovery of the affliction is critical since it allows a doctor to begin preventative care which can help lessen the severity of cognitive decline although it will not prevent the inevitable total deterioration. No viable urine test has been developed for wide spread use by medical professionals but there is hope that this discovery might one day be used to provide a easy to use and accurate screening method. An effective test for Alzheimer’s would be a great boon since it will give the millions of anticipated sufferers a chance to function at a high level for years longer than with current detection methods so let us wish the researchers the best of luck.
See, Odor biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease, Medical Express, January 14, 2016.
Special thanks to Lewis Saret for bringing this article to my attention.
