Blood biomarkers are useful predictors of future cognitive impairments

It turns out that 10 metabolites from peripheral blood can be used to predict impending cognitive impairment such as those associated with disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. The study was based on evaluations of 40 subjects who are at risk for developing sharp cognitive decline. The logic behind the study was based on thinking that “changes in the lipids that are important for proper [cell] membrane structure and communication could really be a critical step in triggering the cascade of events leading to cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.” The study was published in the 9 March 2014 issue of Nature Medicine by Mapstone and colleagues, “Plasma phospholipids identify antecedent memory impairment in older adults”)

It begs the question; does it help to know what is coming when you can’t do anything about the impairments that await you?