It is estimated that over six million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s disease plus millions of other people throughout the world. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. As reported recently by the Axios, newly developed blood tests may be able to assist doctors faster and more accurately with lower costs to patients and insurers.
Currently, patients are diagnosed according to scans or invasive spinal taps looking for Alzheimer’s hallmarks such as the buildup of beta amyloid. The diagnosis may also be based on cognitive exams.
Labs are now offering tests that detect Alzheimer’s markers in the blood. Doctors have shown an interest in the potential, but the tests have not been used often as there is currently not much data to guide doctors with respect to ordering the tests.
The FDA has not approved any tests so far nor have insurers come forward with coverage.
Suzanne Schindler M.D. is a neurologist at the Washington University in St. Louis and a member of the research team examining the blood test program. Dr. Schindler commented about the accuracy of some tests yet cautioned that some results resemble the “flip of a coin.”
Although Dr. Schindler asks, “What tests can we trust?” the tide may soon turn as the demand to begin Alzheimer’s diagnosis earlier is increasing.
The Telltale Biomarkers
Brain-clogging amyloid plaques and abnormal tau protein lead to tangles that kill neurons and are considered telltale biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease. Two new drugs, Kisunla and Leqembi, slow symptoms to some degree by removing amyloid from the brain. However, these two drugs only slow symptoms in the very early stages. Doctors have found that having their patients qualify as being in the earliest stages is difficult and attributed to problems in measuring amyloid in the patient’s spinal fluid.
It is also costly to be examined by a special, invasive PET scan and difficult to arrange an appointment. It could take months.
About the Swedish Study
A new Swedish study of approximately 1,200 patients indicates that the blood tests are well suited to doctors’ offices with special consideration given to primary care doctors. Family doctors tend to see more people with memory problems than the average specialist but have less medical equipment with which to work in terms of examining their patients.
