Alzheimer's markers show crucial differences across diverse global populations

Established Alzheimer's markers are also detected in blood samples from Nigeria and Tanzania. But other proteins in the blood differ from those seen in a comparable group in Canada. This is important if blood tests for Alzheimer's are to be used globally.

Blood biomarkers may make it possible to detect changes seen in Alzheimer's disease without advanced brain imaging or cerebrospinal fluid tests. At the same time, much of the research behind today's biomarkers has been conducted in high-income countries and in people of European ancestry. Previous studies in African populations have mainly examined a smaller number of already established markers.

Andrea Benedet, a researcher at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, led the study together with Rufus Akinyemi at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

As blood tests begin to be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in different parts of the world, we need to know how well the markers work across different populations. Otherwise, we risk misdiagnosis because much of today's knowledge is based on a limited part of the world's population. People in different parts of the world may face different risk factors and environmental exposures and have different comorbidities."