How Blood Can Reveal the Future: Predicting Dementia Up to 15 Years in Advance
Many of us know someone who is suffering from dementia in some capacity. It affects a wide range of people (over 55 million people globally, according to the World Health Organization) from a myriad of different backgrounds and lifestyles. Many of these people appear to be perfectly happy and healthy before cognitive decline suddenly takes hold; and as a result, dementia may seem as if it’s a completely unpredictable disease that strikes at random, as if it’s just an inevitable part of growing old for those who are unlucky enough to fall victim to it.
But recent breakthroughs in dementia-related research suggest that we may not be as helpless in the face of this disease as many believe. We at Velocity are excited to share the details of a few groundbreaking studies that have discovered ways to predict dementia up to 15 years before the first symptoms of cognitive decline appear.
15-year prediction horizon
The University of Warwick and Fudan University in China conducted a study in which researchers analyzed blood samples from more than 50,000 healthy people, 1,400 of whom went on to develop dementia over a follow-up period of 10-15 years. The researchers used the data they collected to identify 11 blood proteins that can be used as indicators for the biological changes that happen in people who will likely have dementia. According to this study’s findings, these 11 blood proteins predict dementia with an accuracy rate of up to 90%.
10-year prediction horizon
A different study, led by researchers from the Aging Research Center of Karolinska Institutet in collaboration with SciLifeLab and KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, examined the potential of specific biomarkers (namely: tau217, Neurofilament Light (NfL), and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP)), to predict the development of dementia. This study analyzed data from over 2,100 healthy adults, and after a follow-up 10 years later, it was found that 17% of these adults had developed dementia. The study concluded that the examined biomarkers could predict dementia with an accuracy of up to 83%.
What this means for your healthspan
These studies are exactly the kind of breakthroughs that Velocity Health thrives on. Our mission is to harness new, cutting-edge developments in precision medicine to deliver healthcare that is proactive and personalized rather than reactive and cookie-cutter.
With our comprehensive blood tests and DNA analyses, Velocity Health has the ability to identify dementia-predicting biomarkers in your blood and create your dementia risk profile from the data we collect. Then, we will work with you to create a personalized health intervention plan based on your results, which can involve strategies to reduce inflammation, modulate stress, implement peptides, and more.
What’s next for dementia prediction?
We envision a future in which dementia screening exams are as routine as cholesterol tests. As Dr. Sandeep Palokedti, our founder and CEO, says: “Your brain isn't just an organ. It's the command center for your identity, cognition, and life force. Protecting it is the most vital longevity investment you'll ever make.”
But full integration of these screening tools into wide-spread, everyday care depends on:
Broader validation across populations to ensure biomarkers work for every background and biology.
Standardized testing to maintain accuracy and trust in results.
Cost-effective rollout into real-world settings, not just labs.
The Velocity difference
Dementia screening tests are not meant to be about fear but about gaining freedom. Freedom from the gravity of decline. It’s about making your health story one of power, clarity, and control.
For too long, the standard healthcare procedure has been to wait until someone shows symptoms of dementia before starting treatment. But precision medicine is beginning to change that, and Velocity Health is harnessing these medical advancements to help you live not only longer but better.
If you’re ready to take ownership of your cognitive longevity, now is the time. Book a free consultation with Velocity Health today.
Sources:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-023-00565-0
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40140622/
