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Last Updated: Saturday, 18 November 2006, 01:09 GMT

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Better Alzheimer's test developed

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease causes loss of memory
A new test may help researchers understand why a toxin builds up in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.
Amyloid beta protein accumulates in the brain in Alzheimer's disease but whether the body produces too much or cannot break it down is unclear.

But by labelling the protein with a carbon isotope, doctors can measure the rate of turnover, a report in Nature Medicine suggests.

Experts said the test could help improve diagnosis and treatment.