New Alzheimer’s blood test could be used to stage dementia, study finds
New Blood Test Shows Promise in Gauging Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers have made significant strides in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, with several blood tests already available to accurately detect the condition. Now, a new study published in Nature Medicine journal has introduced a groundbreaking blood test that can not only diagnose Alzheimer’s but also gauge how far the disease has progressed.
Led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Lund University in Sweden, the study focused on analyzing blood samples from 163 individuals at various stages of cognitive decline. The key finding was the correlation between levels of a protein called MTBR-tau243 and the amount of tau accumulation in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. The accuracy of this blood test in comparison to brain scans was an impressive 92%.
Tau is a protein that forms tangles in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, interfering with cognitive function. These tau tangles typically develop after the formation of amyloid plaques, another protein associated with Alzheimer’s. The study revealed that the higher the levels of tau accumulation, the more severe the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, with levels of MTBR-tau243 being 200 times higher in individuals with advanced dementia stages.
While existing blood tests focus on measuring amyloid levels in the brain, this new test is the first to measure tau levels. According to Courtney Kloske, Ph.D., from the Alzheimer’s Association, combining positive results from both tests could provide a more definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, leading to more targeted treatment options.
Current clinical practice relies on PET brain scans for staging Alzheimer’s patients, but these scans are expensive and not always readily available. The new blood test offers a more accessible and cost-effective alternative for staging patients and tailoring treatments to their specific needs.
The researchers believe that this breakthrough could usher in an era of personalized medicine for Alzheimer’s disease. By identifying tau tangles early on, doctors can better determine the most effective treatment options for each patient based on the stage of their disease.
While the results of this study are promising, further research is needed to validate and replicate these findings in larger, more diverse populations. The study was funded by various organizations, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Alzheimer’s Association, highlighting the importance of continued research in the field of Alzheimer’s disease.
As we look towards the future of Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment, this new blood test holds great promise in improving patient outcomes and advancing personalized care for individuals affected by this devastating disease.
