A recent study highlighted the effectiveness of a blood test, known as the “ALZpath pTau217 test,” developed by ALZpath, in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This test detects a specific form of the tau protein in the blood, indicating the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are a key marker of AD.

The study involved a comparison of the pTau217 test’s results with traditional methods of detecting amyloid-beta or tau in the brain, such as advanced imaging or cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The research included data from over 700 patients across three categories: those without cognitive impairment, with mild cognitive impairment, and with dementia (either caused by AD or not). The test demonstrated high accuracy in detecting amyloid-beta and tau clumps, with Area Under the Curve values ranging from 0.92 to 0.97. The researchers concluded that the pTau217 test could serve as an effective initial screening tool in managing cognitive impairment and determining who might benefit from anti-amyloid immunotherapies.

Reference: Wexler M. Blood test spots patients eligible for therapies targeting amyloid-beta. Alzheimer’s News Today. Published January 26, 2024. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://alzheimersnewstoday.com/news/blood-test-alzheimers-biomarkers-may-speed-treatment-start/