Alzheimer’s disease is a serious brain condition that affects many people around the world. It slowly gets worse over time and causes memory loss, confusion, and problems with thinking.
So far, scientists know it is linked to harmful clumps in the brain called beta-amyloid plaques and tangles, which damage brain cells and lead to mental decline.
In a new study from the University of California San Diego, scientists found something that might help catch Alzheimer’s early. They discovered that people with high levels of a certain enzyme in their blood, called PHGDH, were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s—even before any memory problems appeared.
This means that a simple blood test might help doctors spot the disease sooner, which could lead to better treatment and slower progress of the illness.
PHGDH is an enzyme that helps make a substance called serine, which the brain uses to stay healthy. Normally, the levels of PHGDH in the body are balanced.
But the scientists found that people with Alzheimer’s had too much PHGDH in their brains. This was true even for people who looked healthy but later developed the disease. That means PHGDH might act like an early warning sign.
To make sure their findings were correct, the scientists looked at brain samples from older adults. These samples came from four different research groups, with each group having 40 to 50 people. Some had Alzheimer’s, some had early brain changes but no symptoms, and some were completely healthy.
In all the groups, people with Alzheimer’s had much higher PHGDH levels. Those with higher levels also did worse on thinking and memory tests.
The team even tested mice that were bred to have Alzheimer’s. These mice also had more PHGDH in their brains, just like the people in the study. This shows that the link between PHGDH and Alzheimer’s is strong in both animals and humans.
One unexpected finding was about serine supplements. Many people take serine to improve brain health. But since PHGDH makes serine, and Alzheimer’s patients already have too much of it, taking more serine might actually make things worse.
The scientists now warn people to be careful with serine supplements, especially if they are at risk of Alzheimer’s, until more research is done.
The study also points out that testing for PHGDH in blood could be a useful tool for doctors. It could help spot people at risk early, giving them a chance to take steps before serious brain damage happens.
Right now, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are things people can do to lower their risk. Regular exercise helps improve blood flow to the brain and supports brain cell growth. Eating a healthy diet—like the Mediterranean diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats—can also help.
Keeping your brain active by reading, solving puzzles, learning new things, and spending time with others can strengthen brain health. Managing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol is also important.
This study, led by Sheng Zhong and published in the journal Cell Metabolism, is a big step forward. It brings hope that in the future, simple blood tests might catch Alzheimer’s before it causes serious problems. This would give people more time to take action and protect their brain health.
If you care about Alzheimer’s, please read studies about the likely cause of Alzheimer’s disease , and new non-drug treatment that could help prevent Alzheimer’s.
For more health information, please see recent studies about diet that may help prevent Alzheimer’s, and results showing some dementia cases could be prevented by changing these 12 things.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
