New Alzheimer's marker is discovered

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Swedish scientists say they've discovered a previously unknown substance in spinal fluid that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease.

University of Gothenburg researchers say the substance is a beta-amyloid protein called Abeta16. The scientists say two independent studies showed Alzheimer's patients have higher levels of the protein in their spinal fluid than do healthy individuals.

"The discovery of the new protein could be used to diagnose patients with Alzheimer's and also help determine which medications are most effective for the disease," said biochemist Erik Portelius, the study's author.

Portelius describes the findings in a thesis at the university's Sahlgrenska Academy.