Blue Andromeda

Category: Features

  • Can blood tests help to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease?

    Can blood tests help to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease?

    Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-mri-results-4226264/

    New testing methods may be more efficient

    New tests which measure levels of specific proteins in our blood could soon provide a way to diagnose Alzheimer’s faster. This could provide a much more efficient and less costly way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s, a type of dementia, is a problem which effects many of us, particularly as we live longer lives.

    Current Process

    Currently, diagnosing Alzheimer’s consists of a variety of methods meaning patients may wait months before getting a definitive diagnosis. In the UK, doctors tend to rule possible causes for symptoms before referring a patients to a specialist.

    Patients then undergo more in-depth memory tests, brain scans or a lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap). Testing a patient’s cerebrospinal fluid also takes time.

    The NHS (England) details the procedure of diagnosing Alzheimer’s on its website. It states “It may take several appointments and tests over many months before a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be confirmed”. However, it also points out that “often it may be diagnosed more quickly than this”.

    How they work

    The new blood tests work by measuring proteins known as ‘p-tau217’, which researchers believe are significant biomarkers of amyloid plaques. Amyloid plaques build up in the brains of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. They are essentially collections of proteins made from amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides which clump together. They form in the brain of those with Alzheimer’s disease leading to problems the normal functioning of the brain.

    Current situation

    Though already in use by some, at present, they are used in conjunction with current procedures. Whether they replace current diagnostic techniques is still up for debate, however. An article by Sanders states these “blood tests are getting better, but still have a ways to go” (Sanders, 2024). The article states “There are still lots of unknowns”.

    There is a long way to go before decisions are made on their overall efficacy. But it does seem that these tests may one day soon prove to be an appropriate replacement for current procedures.

    References

    NHS (2024) Overview – Alzheimer’s disease. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alzheimers-disease/  (Accessed: 06/02/2025).

    NHS (2024) Diagnosis – Alzheimer’s disease. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alzheimers-disease/diagnosis/ (Accessed: 06/02/2025).

    Sanders, L. (2024) Alzheimer’s blood tests are getting better, but still have a ways to go. Available at: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/alzheimers-blood-tests-better-diagnose  (Accessed: 06/02/2025).

  • UK government extends Avian Influenza Prevention Zone as cases of bird flu rise across England

    UK government extends Avian Influenza Prevention Zone as cases of bird flu rise across England

    Image source: S.Reay, 2025, A Common wood pigeon sat on a lamp post

    The Department for Environment , Food & Rural Affairs has announced an extension of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) following recent rises in the number of cases of avian influenza (bird flu) seen across England.

    Avian influenza is highly pathogenic to various species of birds but importantly it has also been known to occasionally infect mammals, including humans.

    Just this year, the UKHSA has confirmed a case of A(H5N1) human avian influenza in the West Midlands region. (UKHSA, 2025)

    The very real possibility of species-to-species infection of particular strains of the bird flu virus (notably H5N1), means governments around the world are often quick to put in place preventative measures.

    To put this is perspective, an article published in WUSF recently highlights the possibility of H5N1 becoming “an existential threat to biodiversity worldwide”.

    The author, Tom Bayles states “The scientific community remains vigilant about the potential for the H5N1 virus to mutate and acquire the ability to spread efficiently between humans, which could potentially lead to a pandemic” (T.Bayles, 2025)

    According to the latest updates from the Department for Environment , Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), “Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza are increasing in both kept poultry and wild birds across multiple areas of Great Britain”(DEFRA/APHA, 2025)

    The government has revealed an extension in the ‘Avian Influenza Prevention Zone’ or AIPZ, as it is known which demands measures such as “mandatory enhanced biosecurity and housing for kept birds” be put in place.

    The latest extension of the AIPZ which already included “East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk” has now been extended to include “Shropshire, York and North Yorkshire”.

    At the same time, an additional AIPZ has come into place “mandating enhanced biosecurity” only which will cover the rest of England.

    The latest updates also confirm “a similar zone is in force in Scotland and will apply in Wales from 30 January 2025”.

    The Uk goverments website, ‘Gov.uk’ is providing up to date information, as well as an interactive online map on the current ongoing situation.

    References

    Bayles, T. (2025) ‘Deadly H5N1 bird flu becomes an ‘existential threat’ to biodiversity worldwide’, WGCU. Available at: https://www.wusf.org/health-news-florida/2025-02-02/deadly-h5n1-bird-flu-becomes-existential-threat-biodiversity-worldwide (Accessed: 03/02/2025).

    UKHSA (2025) ‘Human case of avian flu detected in England’, GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/human-case-of-avian-flu-detected-in-england (Accessed: 03/02/2025).

    Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency (2025) ‘Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England’, GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england#guidance (Accessed: 03/02/2025).