Links found between blood type and risk of cognitive decline

Sheffield: A pioneering study conducted by leading researchers at the University of Sheffield has revealed blood types play a role in the development of the nervous system and may cause a higher risk of developing cognitive decline. The research, carried out in collaboration with the IRCCS San Camillo Hospital Foundation in Venice, shows that people with an ‘O’ blood type have more grey matter in their brain, which helps to protect against diseases such as Alzheimer’s, than those with ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘AB’ blood types.

Transforming all donated blood into a universal type

American Chemical Society: Every day, thousands of people need donated blood. But only blood without A- or B-type antigens, such as type O, can be given to all of those in need, and it’s usually in short supply. Now scientists are making strides toward fixing the situation. In ACS’ Journal of the American Chemical Society, they report an efficient way to transform A and B blood into a neutral type that can be given to any patient.

Red blood cell types

Source: Food and Drug Administration. May 2014
The surfaces of red blood cells display minor blood group antigens in addition to the major ABO blood group antigens.
Some people develop antibodies to non-ABO antigens following transfusion or pregnancy. This is especially true in people who may receive repeated blood transfusions, such as those with sickle cell disease.
The development of such antibodies can cause red blood cell destruction if red blood cells with the corresponding antigens are later transfused.
Development of antibodies to non-ABO antigens can be prevented by selecting blood that is better matched to the patient‘s non-ABO antigens. In addition, when a potential transfusion recipient has a known antibody that causes red blood cell destruction, red blood cells that are negative for the corresponding antigen must be found.
The identification of red blood cell antigens has traditionally been performed by serological typing. This involves testing blood with reagents (antisera) that are specific for the antigens for which the blood is being tested. However, specific antisera may be scarce or unavailable.
A new and alternative method has been approved. It works by detecting genes that govern the expression of 36 antigens that can appear on the surface of red blood cells. The test uses thousands of coded beads that bind with the genes coding for non-ABO red blood cell antigens that are present in a blood sample. A light signal is generated from each bead that has captured a specific gene. Accompanying computer software decodes the light signals and reports which antigens are predicted to be present on the red cells based on the genes that are detected.
Performance is comparable between the two methods.