A test which can accurately detect Alzheimer’s in its very early stages has been created by U.S. scientists.

It can spot the disease before dementia symptoms appear and widespread damage occurs.

It was 87 per cent accurate at predicting which patients with early memory problems and other symptoms would eventually be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the researchers said.

The test measures proteins in spinal fluid which are known indicators of whether someone is likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

Leslie Shaw of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, whose study appears in the Annals of Neurology, said: ‘With this test, we can reliably detect and track the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.’

Author and Alzheimer’s sufferer Terry Pratchett is a staunch campaigner for research into the disease

He said that such tests could help researchers working on trials of Alzheimer’s treatments.

The test could also lead to better ways to keep mild memory problems from progressing into full-blown Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia in the elderly, he added.

As the findings were revealed, Prince Charles was warning that Britain faces a ‘catastrophic’ burden from dementia in the future.

Via www.dailymail.co.uk