Alzheimer's blood test may predict who's likely to develop symptoms in 5 to 10 years - CBS News
Researchers have identified a blood test, p-tau217, that can predict the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's symptoms within 5 to 10 years. While currently used for diagnosis, experts suggest it could eventually help identify candidates for preventative clinical trials.
Why it matters
Early detection tools are critical for the development of preventative Alzheimer's treatments, though experts caution that lifestyle management remains the primary recommendation for healthy individuals.
Washington — A blood test may predict if apparently healthy older adults are likely to develop Alzheimer's symptoms in the next five or 10 years, researchers reported Wednesday.That information could be reassuring or terrifying, but for now it's a potential tool to speed drug development by helping to identify and enroll high-risk people into studies of possible Alzheimer's treatments or preventive strategies. Already large clinical trials are testing if certain drugs could prevent or at least delay the disease — and if any of those pan out, doctors will need an easy way to tell who should try them. The scientists behind the new study stress that it's too soon for healthy people to seek out the so-called p-tau217 test, which is currently used to help diagnose whether people experiencing cognitive problems have Alzheimer's or another disorder.
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