UMDNJ-Stratford Scientist Led Team in Developing Groundbreaking Test to Detect Alzheimer’s Early
TRENTON – Senator Fred Madden (D-Gloucester/Camden) today issued the following statement on the work of a southern New Jersey researcher who led a team of scientists in developing a blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s disease years before any symptoms develop. The research that led to this development – which involves testing a drop of blood for specific antibodies – was published in the online peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE. Dr. Robert Nagele, a UMDNJ professor from Washington Township, Gloucester County, also submitted an article on his findings to be published Aug. 9 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, according to reports:
“Hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans are living with Alzheimer’s. The development of a blood test that can detect a predisposition for the disease long before any symptoms develop is remarkable. Currently, the only definitive way to diagnose this condition is through an examination of a person’s brain tissue posthumously. The use of this relatively non-invasive test could be key to one day slowing or preventing the onset of this disease in individuals who are likely to suffer from it.
“I congratulate Dr. Nagele on this extraordinary medical breakthrough. As a personal friend, I know firsthand his passion and dedication to this work and to helping individuals and their families who are coping with Alzheimer’s.”
Senator Madden is a proud supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter and received their Public Servant Award in 2007.