Japanese scientists from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology have identified blood metabolites, a change in the content of which is associated with the development of dementia. Corresponding work was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Tuesday 14 September.
The specialists took blood samples from eight patients with dementia, as well as from eight healthy elderly people and young citizens from the control group. After analyzing the collected material, they found a way to make erythrocyte metabolites stable enough for analysis.
So, scientists measured the levels of 124 compounds in the blood, finding 33 metabolites. The change in their concentration, the researchers explained, is associated with dementia.
According to the data provided by experts, the content of seven of these compounds increased in patients with dementia, while 26 decreased. At the same time, 20, including nine compounds common in erythrocytes, have never been associated with the development of dementia before.
Some metabolites, the value of which has increased, according to scientists, can have toxic effects on the central nervous system. This, in turn, can lead to the development of dementia.
Earlier, on August 17, Professor of the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Doctor of Medical Sciences Anna Bogolepova said that a whole range of different factors has an impact on the development of dementia. In particular, according to her, we are talking about environmental, vascular and genetic factors.