Blood test ‘could be as accurate as lumbar puncture for Alzheimer’s detection’

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A blood test might be simply as accurate as painful and invasive lumbar punctures for detecting Alzheimer’s illness, analysis suggests.

Measuring ranges of a protein known as p-tau217 within the blood might be simply as good at detecting the indicators of Alzheimer’s, and higher than a variety of different checks at present beneath growth, specialists say.

The protein is a marker for organic adjustments that occur within the mind throughout Alzheimer’s illness.

The new findings have the potential to “revolutionise” analysis for individuals with suspected Alzheimer’s, specialists say.

In the research of 786 individuals, the researchers had been in a position to make use of the The ALZpath p-tau217 test to determine sufferers as possible, intermediate and unlikely to have Alzheimer’s illness.

Dr Richard Oakley, affiliate director of analysis and innovation on the Alzheimer’s Society, stated: “This study is a hugely welcome step in the right direction as it shows that blood tests can be just as accurate as more invasive and expensive tests at predicting if someone has features of Alzheimer’s disease in their brain.

“Furthermore, it suggests results from these tests could be clear enough to not require further follow-up investigations for some people living with Alzheimer’s disease, which could speed up the diagnosis pathway significantly in future.

“However, we still need to see more research across different communities to understand how effective these blood tests are across everyone who lives with Alzheimer’s disease.”

Currently the one technique to show that somebody has a build-up of the proteins within the mind is to have a lumbar puncture or an amyloid PET scan, which can be found in solely about one in 20 NHS reminiscence clinics.

A lumbar puncture includes a needle being inserted into the decrease again, between the bones within the backbone.

Dr Sheona Scales, director of analysis at Alzheimer’s Research UK, stated: “This study suggests that measuring levels of a protein called p-tau217 in the blood could be as accurate as currently used lumbar punctures for detecting the biological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, and superior to a range of other tests currently under development.

“This adds to a growing body of evidence that this particular test has huge potential to revolutionise diagnosis for people with suspected Alzheimer’s.”

However, she added that a greater image is required of how these kinds of blood checks carry out day-to-day in real-world healthcare programs.

Prof David Curtis, honorary professor, UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, stated: “Everybody over 50 could be routinely screened every few years, in much the same way as they are now screened for high cholesterol.

“It is possible that currently available treatments for Alzheimer’s disease would work better in those diagnosed early in this way.

“However, I think the real hope is that better treatments can also be developed.

“The combination of a simple screening test with an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease would have a dramatic impact for individuals and for society.”

The research from Dr Nicholas Ashton on the University of Gothenburg, and colleagues, is revealed within the Jama Neurology journal.