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Home Alzheimer's Test: Finger Prick Breakthrough?
19 Jan
Summary
- A new finger-prick blood test aims to detect Alzheimer's risk.
- Trial involves 1,000 volunteers, with results expected in 2028.
- This test could allow for home-based screening without refrigeration.
A novel finger-prick blood test is currently undergoing trials, offering a potential breakthrough in early Alzheimer's detection. Scientists are analyzing results from 1,000 volunteers to determine the test's efficacy in identifying abnormal amyloid protein, a key indicator of Alzheimer's risk. Dr. Emer MacSweeney highlights its potential for a ubiquitous, accurate, and less complicated diagnostic tool.
The ongoing study seeks to understand if blood tests can improve diagnosis and treatment in real-world scenarios, with a US regulator having already approved a needle-and-syringe blood test for Alzheimer's diagnosis last year. A significant advantage of this finger-prick method is its suitability for home use, as samples do not require refrigeration and can be mailed to a lab.
The trial, which includes participants with varying cognitive statuses, aims to complete by 2028, with at least 25% of volunteers from under-represented groups. Hopes are high that such blood tests could eventually serve as a crucial screening tool for dementia in older adults, making early detection more accessible.
