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Alzheimer's Blood Test Cleared in Europe
12 May
Summary
- First blood test to signal and rule out Alzheimer's is now EU-approved.
- The test offers faster diagnosis, reducing pressure on healthcare systems.
- It detects high pTau217 protein levels, indicating likely Alzheimer's.
Elecsys pTau217, a pioneering blood test for Alzheimer's disease, has been cleared for use across Europe. This development marks a significant advancement in diagnosing Alzheimer's earlier in the patient journey. The test received the CE Mark, confirming its safety and performance standards for the European Union.
Developed by Roche Diagnostics in partnership with Eli Lilly and Company, the Elecsys pTau217 test aims to provide a simple, blood-based diagnostic tool. This allows general practitioners to assess patients more efficiently, referring them to specialists with crucial data for faster diagnosis if needed.
A positive result indicates high levels of the pTau217 protein, strongly suggesting the presence of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's. Conversely, a negative result makes Alzheimer's unlikely, potentially avoiding the need for more invasive procedures like spinal fluid tests or brain scans.
