Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Blood Tests to Enable Early Identification of Cognitive Decline and Personalized Treatments

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 01 Dec 2023

Some individuals who have endured extreme stressors like psychiatric disorders or childhood abuse and neglect can experience a variety of health issues later in life, such as depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease. More...

While not everyone who suffers from extreme stressors faces health complications later in life, a significant number do. For those affected, their cells tend to age more rapidly, leading to earlier physical breakdowns in the body, a phenomenon known as "accelerated biological aging." Natural aging processes typically involve a decline in cognitive functions, including memory, reasoning, executive function, and processing speed. Although global genetic research has generated mixed findings on whether accelerated biological aging kicks off early cognitive decline, previous studies suggest that early signs of cognitive decline can be identified long before they impact the quality of life. This opens up a window for early detection and intervention.

Now, a new study by researchers at Penn State (University Park, PA, USA) has unveiled genetic markers that could potentially forecast cognitive decline. According to the researchers, future blood tests might be able to detect early cell aging caused by these stressors, indicating a decline in cognitive abilities. In their study, the researchers analyzed two distinct population groups and found that accelerated biological aging might be a useful biomarker for identifying cognitive decline.

Utilizing blood samples and other medical data compiled from other studies, the researchers explored the relationship between potential genetic markers of cognitive performance, actual cognitive testing results, and the history of psychiatric disorders or childhood maltreatment. Their analysis revealed that accelerated biological aging is linked to reduced cognitive abilities and slower processing speed. However, the exact genetic markers indicating this relationship varied between the two study groups. The researchers attribute these differences to the distinct designs of the studies, suggesting that varying genetic markers could signal cognitive decline depending on the study's structure and focus.

“Understanding the connection between accelerated biological aging and cognitive decline may help researchers create treatments that help people who have experienced extreme stressors to experience better health,” said John Felt, assistant research professor in the Center for Healthy Aging and lead author of the study. “Cognitive decline can undermine your personal and professional life, especially for people who also have a psychiatric condition. Our research could lead to blood tests for early identification of cognitive decline and eventually to personalized treatments that support cognitive function in people with accelerated biological aging.”

Related Links:
Penn State 


New
Gold Member
Immunochromatographic Assay
CRYPTO Cassette
Collection and Transport System
PurSafe Plus®
New
Silver Member
PCR Plates
Diamond Shell PCR Plates
New
Sperm Quality Analyis Kit
QwikCheck Beads Precision and Linearity Kit
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The study highlights the potential of cCAFs as a biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis (H J Woo et al., Analytical Chemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c02154)

Simultaneous Cell Isolation Technology Improves Cancer Diagnostic Accuracy

Accurate cancer diagnosis remains a challenge, as liquid biopsy techniques often fail to capture the complexity of tumor biology. Traditional systems for isolating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) vary in... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The VENTANA HER2 (4B5) test is now CE-IVDR approved (Photo courtesy of Roche)

Companion Diagnostic Test Identifies HER2-Ultralow Breast Cancer and Biliary Tract Cancer Patients

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Europe, with more than 564,000 new cases and 145,000 deaths annually. Metastatic breast cancer is rising in younger populations and remains the leading cause... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.