Screening for Alzheimer’s disease: This blood test that “shows the best results”, is more than 90% effective
There is no quick test to detect Alzheimer’s disease. Diagnosis is often delayed until after a thorough assessment of cognitive abilities. But researchers have identified biomarkers that could pave the way for future blood tests.
Today, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is based on a complete battery of tests and examinations: neuropsychological assessment, MRI, neurological examination, lumbar puncture, etc.
Good results
Researchers are therefore currently working to identify new biomarkers in order to develop techniques that are less invasive and easier to perform. This is the case for scientists at the Sant Pau Hospital in Barcelona, who were particularly interested in a specific form of the tau protein, P-tau217, already used as a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease in cerebrospinal fluid. So the team decided to test the benefits of this biomarker in blood plasma.
By analyzing data from 787 patients from three observational cohorts (one in Canada, one in the United States, and the third in Spain), the researchers observed that this technique was effective in detecting the presence of Alzheimer’s disease with an accuracy of more than 90%. . The results show that the P-tau217 biomarker provides comparable accuracy to cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. A more accessible and less invasive option, therefore, for early diagnosis – and therefore treatment – of dementia.
Dr. Sant Pau Hospital. For Daniel Alcolia, “dOf all the biomarkers currently studied for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, this one shows the best results”
