Scientists Advance Alzheimer's Diagnostics with New Blood Test
Blood Phosphorylated Tau 181 Emerges as Biomarker
July 28, 2024, 7:00 AM
Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, announcing the development of a new blood test that can detect the disease with high accuracy. The test, which measures the levels of a protein called phosphorylated tau 181 in the blood, provides a promising tool for early detection and monitoring of Alzheimer's.
Researchers have been working for decades to develop a reliable blood test for Alzheimer's disease, a condition that affects millions worldwide and often progresses undetected until significant brain damage has occurred. The new test utilizes a technique called mass spectrometry to measure the levels of phosphorylated tau 181, a protein associated with the accumulation of toxic plaques in the brain that are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.
In a study published in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers reported that the test, called APS2 (amyloid probability score 2), was 91% accurate in diagnosing Alzheimer's in people with mild cognitive decline or early dementia. This represents a significant improvement over existing methods, which are often less accurate and require more invasive procedures such as brain scans or spinal taps.
The development of the new blood test offers hope for faster and more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, which could lead to earlier interventions, better disease management, and improved outcomes for patients.
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