The following is another response from Metabolon to the study in Nature titled, “Early dementia diagnosis: blood proteins reveal at-risk people:” https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00418-9
In the persistent pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of dementia, metabolomics has emerged as a vital contributor by providing granular details of the intricate metabolic changes within the body. A comprehensive review of metabolomic studies in dementia consolidates insights from diverse research, underscoring the association between specific metabolites and cognitive decline (PMID: 31031585). These studies consistently reveal connections between alterations in blood metabolites—such as lipids, amino acids, and steroids—and cognitive decline, establishing a link to dementia risk. Elevated phosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins, lysophosphatidylcholine (PMID: 28341160), along with lower levels of branched-chain amino acids (PMID: 29519576), docosahexaenoic acid (PMID: 28333036), creatinine and taurine (PMID: 37952448) were among the metabolites associated with increased risk or progression of dementia.
Furthermore, other investigations have identified thirty-six serum metabolites including amino acids, ketone bodies, glycolytic intermediates, and lipids that were notably associated with an increased risk of dementia (PMID: 35965319). These findings highlight the multifaceted role of metabolic alterations in dementia. These and several other small molecules detected in blood can serve as potential markers that can be leveraged to provide insights into identifying and understanding dementia, including its various subtypes such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD).
