Scientists say a simple blood test may revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

A study has found that measuring the levels of a protein in the blood can identify people at risk of developing symptoms of the disease including memory loss and confusion, years before they occur.

It’s hoped that will lead to screening of people in their 50s, allowing early detection and treatment.

Two recently developed medicines have been shown to significantly delay progress of the disease, so early identification of people at risk could offer people huge benefits.

Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia affect many millions of people around the world and ageing populations mean they are on the increase.

Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by BBC medical editor Fergus Walsh.

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