A blood test could spot Alzheimer’s disease at the earliest stage and years before symptoms appear, new studies indicate.
The test looks for tiny amounts of a protein (p-tau217) that is elevated in people with the illness.
Investigators found measuring this could predict Alzheimer’s dementia with 96% accuracy.
Alzheimer’s is currently diagnosed using memory tests and brain scans when symptoms have appeared.
The idea of a dementia blood test is not new, but two new studies give the clearest indication yet that a protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease could be used to diagnose people at a much earlier stage.
Dr Rosa Sancho, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said previous clinical trials had failed as patients enrolled in them were too far advanced in their illness, and by that time it was “too late”.
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