A nasal swab test can detect early signs of dementia (Image: Getty)
A quick and minimally invasive nasal swab could transform how Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed. The breakthrough could potentially identify the condition years before symptoms such as memory loss and confusion begin, according to new research. Scientists have developed a novel technique that collects cells from deep inside the nose, an area rich in smell-detecting nerve cells, and analyses their genetic activity.
A simple and minimally invasive nasal swab could revolutionize the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, potentially detecting the illness years before any symptoms, such as memory loss and confusion, become apparent. This advancement is based on recent research that introduces a cutting-edge technique for collecting cells from deep within the nasal cavity, an area abundant with smell-detecting nerve cells, to study their genetic activity.
These nasal cells seem to harbor early biological markers associated with Alzheimer’s, paving the way for a promising new method of early detection. This research strengthens the growing body of evidence suggesting that the sense of smell is intricately linked to the initial stages of Alzheimer’s. A diminishing sense of smell is frequently one of the earliest indicators, signaling damage in brain regions that are among the first to be affected by the disease.
A test was able to detect biomarkers 81% of the time (Image: Getty)
In the UK, around 900,000 people are living with dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for roughly two-thirds of cases. That number is expected to rise sharply as the population ages.
Despite its prevalence, diagnosing Alzheimer’s remains complex and often slow. Patients typically begin by reporting memory concerns to their GP, followed by referrals to specialist memory clinics.
In the United Kingdom, approximately 900,000 individuals live with dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease responsible for about two-thirds of these cases. As the population continues to age, this number is expected to rise significantly.
Despite its widespread impact, diagnosing Alzheimer’s remains a complicated and often prolonged process. Patients usually start by discussing memory issues with their general practitioner, which may lead to referrals to specialized memory clinics.
The diagnostic process may include cognitive testing, brain imaging techniques such as MRI or PET scans, blood tests, and occasionally invasive procedures like lumbar punctures. By the time a diagnosis is made, substantial brain deterioration has typically already taken place.
The innovative nasal swab method seeks to change this trajectory.
In an early-stage study published in Nature Communications, researchers examined samples from 22 participants. By analysing thousands of genes across hundreds of thousands of individual cells, they identified patterns that distinguished individuals with early or diagnosed Alzheimer’s from those without the disease.
A combined gene score correctly classified participants around 81% of the time.
Importantly, the test also detected changes in individuals who had biological markers of Alzheimer’s, such as elevated levels of amyloid protein in the brain, but had not yet developed symptoms. Amyloid buildup can begin years before memory problems emerge.
“Much of what we know about Alzheimer’s comes from autopsy tissue,” said Vincent D’Anniballe, the study’s lead author. “Now we can study living neural tissue, opening new possibilities for diagnosis and treatment.”
While the findings are promising, experts stress that the research is still in its early stages. The small sample size means larger studies are needed to confirm the results and determine how accurate and reliable the test is across broader populations.
Current treatments for Alzheimer’s can only modestly slow disease progression and may carry significant side effects. There is still no cure, nor any way to stop or reverse the condition.
