New Blood Test Developed to Diagnose Alzheimer’s and Assess Its Progression
Researchers unveil a blood test that could enhance diagnostic accuracy for Alzheimer’s, aiding in treatment decisions.
A team of researchers has announced the development of a blood test capable of diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and assessing its progression in individuals experiencing cognitive difficulties.
This advancement comes at a time when recent approvals for amyloid-targeted therapies, such as donanemab and lecanemab, have created an urgent need for effective diagnostic tools that can guide treatment decisions.
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which are considered hallmarks of the condition.
The research, detailed in the journal Nature Medicine, identifies a specific blood fragment of tau, named eMTBR-tau243, that correlates with the presence of tau tangles in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients but not in those suffering from other cognitive impairments.
In a study involving 902 participants, researchers observed elevated levels of eMTBR-tau243 in individuals with mild cognitive impairment related to Alzheimer’s, with even higher levels detected in patients with dementia.
Notably, these levels did not increase in subjects with cognitive issues stemming from other medical conditions, highlighting the specificity of the blood test.
Prof. Oskar Hansson of Lund University, a co-author of the study, emphasized the necessity for accurate Alzheimer diagnostics, particularly given the recent introduction of amyloid-targeted therapies into clinical settings.
Experts in the field have regarded these findings as promising, with Prof. Tara Spires-Jones from the University of Edinburgh acknowledging that eMTBR-tau243 outperforms existing diagnostic tests.
However, she cautioned that the test involves complex scientific techniques that may limit its immediate availability for routine use.
Additionally, Dr. Sheona Scales, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, noted that eMTBR-tau243 is part of a range of biomarkers undergoing evaluation for their potential in blood tests.
She highlighted the significance of linking blood levels of the biomarker to cognitive function, which could enable better monitoring of Alzheimer’s as it progresses and inform prognostic assessments.
In a separate but related study also published in Nature Medicine, scientists investigated the relationship between two proteins in brain fluid—YWHAG and NPTX2—and cognitive impairment levels in Alzheimer’s patients.
This research included 3,397 participants from the United States, Sweden, and Finland, revealing that the YWHAG:NPTX2 ratio more accurately indicated cognitive problems than traditional measures of amyloid beta and tau levels.
These findings suggest potential for predicting cognitive decline and the onset of dementia, which could influence treatment strategies and clinical trial designs.
Prof. Tony Wyss-Coray from Stanford University, co-author of the second study, indicated that understanding these protein interactions may enhance the selection of suitable medications for patients and optimize clinical trial participant criteria.
This advancement comes at a time when recent approvals for amyloid-targeted therapies, such as donanemab and lecanemab, have created an urgent need for effective diagnostic tools that can guide treatment decisions.
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which are considered hallmarks of the condition.
The research, detailed in the journal Nature Medicine, identifies a specific blood fragment of tau, named eMTBR-tau243, that correlates with the presence of tau tangles in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients but not in those suffering from other cognitive impairments.
In a study involving 902 participants, researchers observed elevated levels of eMTBR-tau243 in individuals with mild cognitive impairment related to Alzheimer’s, with even higher levels detected in patients with dementia.
Notably, these levels did not increase in subjects with cognitive issues stemming from other medical conditions, highlighting the specificity of the blood test.
Prof. Oskar Hansson of Lund University, a co-author of the study, emphasized the necessity for accurate Alzheimer diagnostics, particularly given the recent introduction of amyloid-targeted therapies into clinical settings.
Experts in the field have regarded these findings as promising, with Prof. Tara Spires-Jones from the University of Edinburgh acknowledging that eMTBR-tau243 outperforms existing diagnostic tests.
However, she cautioned that the test involves complex scientific techniques that may limit its immediate availability for routine use.
Additionally, Dr. Sheona Scales, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, noted that eMTBR-tau243 is part of a range of biomarkers undergoing evaluation for their potential in blood tests.
She highlighted the significance of linking blood levels of the biomarker to cognitive function, which could enable better monitoring of Alzheimer’s as it progresses and inform prognostic assessments.
In a separate but related study also published in Nature Medicine, scientists investigated the relationship between two proteins in brain fluid—YWHAG and NPTX2—and cognitive impairment levels in Alzheimer’s patients.
This research included 3,397 participants from the United States, Sweden, and Finland, revealing that the YWHAG:NPTX2 ratio more accurately indicated cognitive problems than traditional measures of amyloid beta and tau levels.
These findings suggest potential for predicting cognitive decline and the onset of dementia, which could influence treatment strategies and clinical trial designs.
Prof. Tony Wyss-Coray from Stanford University, co-author of the second study, indicated that understanding these protein interactions may enhance the selection of suitable medications for patients and optimize clinical trial participant criteria.
