I was a little surprised at the attention that a spinal-fluid test to predict Alzheimer’s is getting, because I first learned of it some time back through Alzheimer’s Daily News. The recent news seems to be about the accuracy of the test. The New York Times recently covered this subject in an excellent article titled, Spinal-Fluid Test Is Found to Predict Alzheimer’s.
Recently, the Archives of Neurology published results of a study, showing just how accurate this test is. While I find non-invasive tests, such as the one I recently wrote about in “Study Shows Alzheimer’s Can Be Detected Early by Eye Exam,” exciting, the accuracy of this spinal-fluid test really is astounding. It seems progress in detecting Alzheimer’s risk is rapidly moving forward. Early discovery means early treatment, perhaps putting off the worst symptoms for months or even years, while more progress is being made toward a cure.
The Times article accurately states that there is a lot of work yet to be done, ” …making sure the tests are reliable if they are used in doctors’ offices, making sure the research findings hold up in real-life situations, getting doctors and patients comfortable with the notion of spinal taps, the method used to get spinal fluid.”
However, there is also the sticky issue that I wrote about in “New Plan to Diagnose Alzheimer’s Before Symptoms Apparent Not without Drawbacks.” My concern that people could have a hard time coping with the fact that they are on the Alzheimer’s track is echoed in the a quote in the Times article.
The article says, “…the new results also give rise to a difficult question: Should doctors offer, or patients accept, commercially available spinal tap tests to find a disease that is yet untreatable?”
I am also concerned about the potential for discrimination by insurance companies, and current or potential employers. While protective laws can be put in place, most of us know that there are ways companies can circumvent them.
According to this times article (the article was also covered on CBS News, as well as many other media outlets), researchers feel that these tests will be run, and many of us will have to cope with the results – the good (early detection means early treatment and time to plan), and the not so good (fear, depression and potential discrimination).
With all steps forward there runs a risk of “unintended consequences.” Yet research must go on and we must learn to roll with these negatives in order to get to a positive end. This can be tough on the individual, but can benefit society as a whole. Life isn’t easy.
Posted in Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Studies | No Comments »Tags: Alzheimer’s, cures, medical studies
