This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Saliva test indicates risk for Alzheimer’s disease

Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease had significantly higher salivary A42 levels, compared with peers who did not have the disorder, suggesting utility of A42 levels to diagnose and predict future risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

“The number of cases studied is small, but our results are so remarkable, we felt they should be made widely available,” study researcher Pat McGeer, MD, PhD, president and CEO of Aurin Biotech, said in a press release. “If individuals know they are destined to develop Alzheimer’s disease, they can initiate preventive measures. These include taking over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, drinking coffee, and sticking to a Mediterranean diet. Such a regimen can dramatically spare individuals from Alzheimer’s disease if commenced well before the age of onset.”

To determine the role of A42 in Alzheimer’s disease, researchers compared salivary A42 levels in 25 controls without Alzheimer’s disease with individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or with genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Controls had a mean A42 level of 23.34 picograms per mL, while six participants with Alzheimer’s disease had A42 levels more than twice as high, ranging from 41.58 to 75.2 picograms per mL.

A participant with the presenilin-1 mutation who was cognitively normal had A42 level of 60.9, while two cognitively normal individuals with family history of Alzheimer’s disease had A42 levels of 47.96 and 59.57 picograms per mL.

“We believe that a teaspoon of saliva can predict an individual’s chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease, and that once you know your chances you can take early preventive measures,” McGeer said. “Knowing is the key, and that’s what this simple test is all about. It’s taken years of research to get to this point, but I really think we’re there.”

Disclosure: Please see the study for a full list of relevant financial disclosures.