Researchers at Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, in partnership with Nymox Corp., are initiating work on a new test for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

AlzheimAlert, a neural thread protein test from Nymox, is the world's first non-invasive test for the disease and will be used to evaluate the participants of two groups: home-bound elderly people and aging veterans.

Researchers at Tufts previously showed a relationship between cognitive functioning and blood homocysteine levels (see earlier Alzheimer Week story). Now, by measuring neural thread protein in first morning's urine, physician's will have help in confirming chemical changes in the brain strongly associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

"This is not a genetic test," said Dr. Michael Munzar, medical director of Nymox. "It's basically an old test which measures the level of neural thread protein."

It is a test, it's maker says, that will provide valuable information in the study of the causes -- and prevention -- of the disease.

"There has been no direct marker for Alzheimer's. Today's work-up is a process of exclusion, and it usually takes two to three years, filled with anxiety, fear and expense," Munzar said. "Now there's a test to help the physician early on."

Initial results of the partnership are expected in late 2002.

Other sources: Tufts University, Nymox