[Photo] National Research Center for Dementia develops dementia test using only saliva

Lee Geong-ho, professor and researcher at the National Research Center for Dementia (NRCD) of Chosun University, says that a minimal amount of saliva or oral mucous is now enough to determine one’s susceptibility to dementia and Alzheimer’s. The NRCD is set to hold probationary examinations for dementia susceptibility for people over 60 in cooperation with the city of Gwangju starting next month, the first of such a trial service in South Korea. Lee says that the development of such services is crucial in helping to prevent potential cases of dementia. The NRCD recently published its findings in the “Journal of Clinical Medicine” regarding genetic factors behind dementia. The photo shows Lee explaining the process.