Alzheimer’s Risks Can Be Detected 15 Years in Advance with Breakthrough Blood Test: Study
Breakthrough Research
Breakthrough research shows that a simple blood test can flag symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) up to 15 years in advance, according to a Times of London report.
How it Works
Neurological scientists from Sweden’s University of Gothenburg have found ways to simply test for the residue of a protein known as phosphorylated Tau 217 (pTau 217), which is commonly associated with the disease known as phosphorylated Tau 217 (pTau 217) — with “impressive” results.
The Testing Procedure
The testing procedure — called an assay — was created by the company ALZpath and offers a comparatively painless, less costly alternative to spinal taps for insight into a person’s risk of the disease, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Accuracy and Efficiency
“ALZpath’s pTau217 test can help healthcare providers determine the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain — a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Andreas Jeromin, the chief scientific officer of ALZpath.
Three independent clinical studies of 786 patients showed that ALZpath delivers “high diagnostic accuracy” in the identification of AD-inducing proteins within the brain such as amyloid plaques.
Availability
The company announced that its latest breakthrough will be available for clinical use by the end of January and will also become commercially available — CNN reported a price between $200 and $500 — at some point as well.
Conclusion
The blood test is looking like a breakthrough in detecting Alzheimer’s disease, and its potential to identify the risk of the disease up to 15 years in advance is a significant step forward in the fight against the disease.
FAQs
What is the blood test? The blood test is a simple and non-invasive test that detects the residue of a protein known as phosphorylated Tau 217 (pTau 217), which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
How accurate is the test? The test has shown “high diagnostic accuracy” in identifying AD-inducing proteins within the brain, according to three independent clinical studies of 786 patients.
When will the test be available? The test will be available for clinical use by the end of January and will also become commercially available at a price between $200 and $500.
What are the potential benefits of the test? The test offers a less costly and less invasive alternative to spinal taps, and can provide insight into a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease up to 15 years in advance.
