Alzheimer's: blood biomarker may help identify the disease ten years before symptoms start

Though this genetic form of Alzheimer's only affects around 1% of the population, it provides useful information on how the disease progresses. Atthapon Raksthaput/ Shutterstock

Though Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 55 million people worldwide, there’s still no cure for the condition – and treatment options are limited.

While recent advancements in the field have led to the development of two medications which may delay the progression of the disease, their benefits are debated. Not to mention that in most clinical trials looking at the effectiveness of these drugs, treatment only begins after symptoms arise. This means damage from the disease has already taken place.