Older adults who have concerns about their memory, thinking, or reasoning abilities may consider getting tested for Alzheimer’s disease. However, the current tests available are invasive and costly. Some require a sample of spinal fluid, while others involve expensive brain imaging. These tests are not typically available in primary care clinics, making them less accessible to many individuals.
In an effort to address these limitations, researchers have been working on developing blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease. These tests measure proteins that are released from the brain into the bloodstream. A recent study focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a blood test called PrecivityAD2 for detecting Alzheimer’s.
The research team collected blood samples from over 1,000 individuals who were worried about potentially having Alzheimer’s disease. They compared the results of the blood test with those of spinal-fluid tests, imaging scans, and evaluations conducted by doctors. The blood test was able to predict a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease with approximately 90% accuracy, outperforming the evaluations done by doctors, which only identified around 60% to 70% of cases.
Dr. Oskar Hansson from Lund University in Sweden, one of the study’s leaders, emphasized the importance of establishing clear guidelines for the clinical use of an Alzheimer’s blood test. While the test is currently available in the U.S., it has not yet been approved by the FDA. Further research is needed to confirm the test’s effectiveness across a broader range of populations.
Having a reliable and non-invasive blood test for Alzheimer’s disease could revolutionize the diagnosis and detection of this condition. It would make testing more accessible to a wider range of individuals and potentially lead to earlier interventions and treatments. As research in this area continues to evolve, it is essential to ensure that any new diagnostic tools are thoroughly tested and validated before being implemented in clinical practice.
