The problem with treating Alzheimer’s is that once the symptoms start showing up, it’s already too late—meaning that early detection is absolutely vital in coming up with working solutions. Using the power of machine learning, IBM researchers have figured out a way to detect a biological marker associated with the disease through a simple blood test. Apparently, that biological marker, which is found in spinal fluid, starts changing decades before the first signs of the disease show up. The problem is harvesting spinal fluid for testing is highly invasive and expensive, making it not ideal for an early detection procedure. What the IBM scientists have figured out is that it’s possible to identify the proteins in the blood that can predict the concentration of the biomarker in spinal fluid, making early detection not only possible but also affordable. The method is still in its early stages of testing, but in the future, scientists could use it to find appropriate subjects for programs developing a cure.
IBM is using machine learning to detect Alzheimer’s way before symptoms show up
More of Today's Solutions
Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation regains ancestral lands near Yosemite in major c...
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Nearly 900 acres of ancestral territory have been officially returned to the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, marking a ...
Read More8 fermented foods that your gut will love (and that taste great, too!)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Fermented foods have been a dietary staple in many cultures for centuries, but in the U.S., they’re only ...
Read MoreBreaking the silence: empowering menopausal women in the workplace
Addressing menopause in the workplace is long overdue in today's fast-changing work scene, where many are extending their careers into their 60s. According to ...
Read MoreInsect migration: the hidden superhighway of the Pyrenees
Insects, while frequently disregarded, are critical to the planet's ecosystems. They make up about 90 percent of all animal species and play important functions ...
Read More
