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New Blood Test Predicts Alzheimer's Years Early
22 Apr
Summary
- Blood test for pTau217 protein shows early Alzheimer's signs.
- Test detects Alzheimer's pathology before PET scans show changes.
- Potential for routine health maintenance in Alzheimer's prediction.
A novel blood test measuring the pTau217 protein shows significant promise in predicting Alzheimer's disease years before clinical symptoms manifest. Researchers at Mass General Brigham, affiliated with Harvard University, found that elevated levels of pTau217 correlate with the buildup of brain plaques linked to Alzheimer's.
This new blood test is simpler than traditional methods like spinal taps or PET scans. Notably, it can detect Alzheimer's progression earlier than amyloid PET scans, which previously indicated changes 10 to 20 years before symptom onset. The study involved 317 adults aged 50-90 who underwent blood tests, PET scans, and cognitive assessments.
Results indicated that higher pTau217 levels predicted faster disease pathology accumulation, even with normal initial brain scans. While not yet recommended for widespread use in older adults, the research team envisions this test as a future tool for routine health maintenance, enabling earlier prediction and potentially delaying the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
