By Jamie Brassington

Copyright birminghammail

Early warning signs of dementia could be identified through a straightforward urine test, new research suggests. The study reveals that individuals with elevated levels of the protein albumin in their urine face a heightened risk of developing the devastating condition. Whilst age continues to be the primary risk factor for dementia, scientists have increasingly demonstrated that illnesses affecting other organs – including the kidneys – can impact brain health. Swedish scientists demonstrated in their latest research that individuals with raised albumin levels in their urine – an abnormal state called “albuminuria” – face greater odds of developing dementia in later years. READ MORE: HMRC to deduct £300 directly from bank accounts of state pensioners Get our best money saving tips and hacks by signing up to our newsletter The link proved most significant for vascular dementia – the second most prevalent type of dementia following Alzheimer’s disease – and for mixed dementia, which incorporates characteristics of both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The research, featured in the Journal of Internal Medicine, examined 130,000 elderly adults in Stockholm, all aged over 65 and dementia-free at the beginning. Throughout a monitoring period of approximately four years, 7% of participants went on to develop dementia. Having considered kidney function alongside other variables, researchers discovered that individuals with moderate albumin protein levels in their urine showed a 25% increased dementia risk, whilst those with elevated levels faced a 37% greater risk compared to those with normal levels. Study author Dr Hong Xu, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, explained: “The kidneys and the brain may seem like very different organs, but they share an important characteristic: both depend on a delicate network of small blood vessels. “When the blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged, the same process often occurs in the brain.” She outlined that a crucial element is the blood-brain barrier, a protective layer that stops harmful substances in the blood from reaching the brain. Just as a compromised kidney filter allows proteins to leak into the urine, a damaged blood-brain barrier permits toxins and inflammatory molecules to enter the brain tissue. Over time, this heightens the risk of vascular damage, inflammation, and build-up of harmful proteins associated with dementia. Dr Xu stated: “These results underscore the importance of routine screening for albuminuria as part of early dementia risk assessment, especially in patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or kidney disease.” She continued: “Early detection of albuminuria could potentially delay or prevent the onset of dementia.”