Scientists find way to identify age-related conditions using blood tests

Scientists at the University of Bath have found a new technique which they believe will allow them to identify a number of age-related conditions.

With funding from Alzheimer's Research UK, they found that proteins in the body react to sugars in a process known as glycation as it ages. This can cause damage to the proteins and trigger inflammation and premature aging when a person has certain diseases.

The researchers found that they can detect levels of glycated proteins by taking blood and tissue samples before applying a gel and administering an electric current.
They are now looking for partners to collaborate and help develop the system so it can be used to test for aged-related conditions, such as dementia, on a wider scale.

Dr Jean Van Den Elsen, from the university’s department of biology and biochemistry, said: "We are currently using our technique to understand how these age-related diseases work, by identifying new biomarkers for diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and testing how new treatments affect levels of glycated proteins."

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