New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Could Help Diagnose and Track Disease Progression
Scientists have developed a new blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s disease and assess how far it has progressed. Researchers say the test could help doctors determine the most suitable treatments for patients, particularly newer drugs like donanemab and lecanemab, which are most effective in the early stages of the disease.The study, led by Prof. Oskar Hansson from Lund University and published in Nature Medicine, found that a specific tau protein fragment, called eMTBR-tau243, was present in the blood of people with Alzheimer’s. The researchers analyzed data from 902 participants and discovered that higher levels of this tau fragment were strongly linked to cognitive impairment and dementia in Alzheimer’s patients, but not in those with other neurological conditions.
Experts say the findings are promising, but the test is not yet ready for routine clinical use. Prof. Tara Spires-Jones from the University of Edinburgh noted that the method requires complex laboratory techniques and further validation.
In a related study, researchers from the US, Sweden, and Finland identified another potential marker for Alzheimer’s progression. They found that the ratio of two proteins in brain fluid YWHAG and NPTX2 was more closely linked to cognitive decline than the presence of amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles, the known hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.
Scientists believe these discoveries could lead to more precise diagnoses and better monitoring of the disease, ultimately improving treatment strategies for patients.
No Comment to " New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Could Help Diagnose and Track Disease Progression "