A recent study conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has shed light on the effectiveness of new blood tests for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. The study compared the accuracy of six different blood tests, with four already available on the market. The results showed that these tests are often accurate enough to diagnose the disease, particularly in patients with cognitive impairment.
One of the key findings of the study was that the blood tests were able to detect the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, with a 90% accuracy rate in patients with memory issues. This opens up the possibility of replacing more invasive procedures such as spinal taps and brain scans for diagnosis.
The comparison study involved 392 individuals who had given blood samples within six months of undergoing brain scans. The study, funded by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Biomarkers Consortium, aimed to provide doctors with more reliable information on which blood tests are most effective in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.
Early detection of dementia is crucial in initiating preventative treatment measures, especially with the recent FDA approval of two drug therapies to help slow the progression of the disease. Confirming the presence of amyloid plaques in a patient’s brain is the first step before initiating any treatment plan, as current drug therapies are targeted towards those with mild dementia symptoms.
The study also highlighted the importance of accuracy in blood tests, with some tests meeting the FDA standards for sensitivity and specificity in identifying Alzheimer’s disease. C2N Diagnostics, a startup from Washington University, was among the companies that developed these tests based on technology licensed from the university.
Dr. Suzanne Schindler, an associate professor of neurology at Washington University, stressed the importance of having accurate blood tests to aid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. “With this head-to-head comparison, doctors now have more reliable information about which tests will best help them provide an accurate diagnosis to their patients,” she said.
