Australian researchers have identified fat-like substances in the blood of people with a rare inherited form of Alzheimer's disease — findings that could point the way to developing a new a method to diagnose all forms of the disorder before brain damage occurs.

The findings, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's disease, are based on analyses conducted by Ralph Martins from Edith Cowan University and colleagues of the blood-fat profiles of 20 people who carry a mutation responsible for what is known as familial Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers found that these individuals also had altered levels of specific fats in their blood plasma, compared to other healthy people. The findings suggest that specific changes in blood-fat metabolism may be used as a predictive test for Alzheimer's.

That, in turn, could speed the use of drugs that can slow the progression of the disease.