BLOOD SCIENCES


Using plasma viscosity to diagnose dementia and Alzheimer’s disease


David Norcliffe and David Manuel examine the role that plasma viscosity could play in the future diagnosis of vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.


Dementia is a general term describing a neurodegenerative disorder with a cognitive decline. The disorder can manifest in various ways and produce distinct symptoms, depending on the specific regions of the brain that have been affected. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60–70% of total cases of dementia.1


cause of dementia, accounting for about 20% of cases, is vascular dementia in which the blood supply to the brain is impaired.2


Differential diagnosis of the The second most common


subtypes can be difficult due to the overlapping of some symptoms. Other subtypes include Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia.3


by various factors, including (but not limited to) advanced age, genetic predisposition, cardiovascular illness, cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and traumatic brain injury.4


It


can manifest through various symptoms, encompassing memory loss, impaired thinking speed, diminished mental sharpness, communication difficulties, impaired judgement, fluctuating mood, and challenges in performing daily activities.


Dementia can be influenced


Signs of dementia According to the UK Alzheimer’s Society people with dementia face a wait of up to two years for diagnosis.6


Studies also


Fig 1. Warning signs of dementia infographic.5


34 DECEMBER 2024 WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM


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