Researchers from Japan revealed blood metabolites, a change in the content of which is associated with the development of dementia. The article of scientists has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Scientists from Okinawan Institute of Science and Technology analyzed blood samples collected in eight patients with dementia, at the same number of healthy elderly people, as well as young people from the control group. Researchers managed to find a way to make erythrocyte metabolites fairly stable for analysis.
Specialists measured blood content levels 124 substance metabolic products and found 33 markers, a change in the concentration of which correlated with dementia. The content of seven of them in patients with dementia increased, and 26 – decreased. 20 of them, including nine compounds common in red blood cells, have never been associated with dementia.
those metabolites, the content of which increased, was found in plasma and have a similar structure. Some of them have a toxic impact on the central nervous system, which, according to scientists, may be likely to cause dementia. Six of metabolites, the content of which was reduced, were antioxidants and were in large quantities in healthy elderly people. The remaining compounds, according to scientists, play a role in the delivery of nutrients and protection of neurons.