The guide to
Blood‐based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease
Understanding blood-based biomarkers
What doctors see: Interpreting blood test results
New advances in blood-based testing
What are blood-based biomarkers?
Blood-based biomarkers are biological molecules that can signal disease-related biological changes in the body and brain.
- In Alzheimer's disease, proteins like tau and beta-amyloid build up in the brain. Blood-based biomarker tests can help show whether they're appearing in abnormally high levels.
- Doctors can use these tests to help confirm — or rule out — Alzheimer's disease.
Read more
Benefits of blood-based testing for Alzheimer's
Less invasive
Blood tests are a less invasive testing method that can be done in order to understand whether moving on to procedures like a spinal tap or PET scan is needed.
Accessible
Blood tests are easier to administer than these other methods. They can be significantly less expensive than other Alzheimer’s diagnostics, too. (Insurance coverage for Alzheimer's blood tests is variable.)
Clinically valuable
Simulation studies suggest blood tests might speed up Alzheimer’s diagnosis and allow people to access disease-modifying drugs sooner.
Read more
Core blood-based biomarkers
Proteins like beta-amyloid and tau build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. Blood biomarker tests look for a very specific kinds of these proteins. Different ratios mean different things as far as Alzheimer's risk.
Beta-amyloid plaques
There are two forms of beta amyloid protein: Aβ40 and Aβ42. A low Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio of these proteins in the blood suggests that a person may have beta-amyloid plaques in the brain.
Tau protein tangles
pTau-181 and pTau-217 are forms of tau protein. Elevated pTau-217 in the blood strongly correlates with amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles, the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.
A new landscape of diagnostics
There are a number of blood tests available to doctors and patients, and several are in the pipeline. These didn't initially require FDA clearance/approval, but new tests will.
As of now, tests can be ordered by a doctor. Guidelines do not currently recommend asymptomatic testing.
READ MORE
Who are Alzheimer's biomarker blood tests for?
People with cognitive symptoms can benefit from these tests: They help clinicians assess the likelihood of Alzheimer's disease and determine appropriate next steps in the diagnostic process.
Symptomatic patients
Patient with cognitive symptoms who has established care
Keep in mind: Results can be affected by
- Other health conditions (i.e. kidney disease)
- Certain medications, especially heart medications
- Individual variations that are perfectly normal
discover more blood tests
Who should get an Alzheimer's biomarker blood test?
Neurologist's perspective
The first thing is, I split symptomatic people from non-symptomatic people. In my practice, of course, I'm seeing fully symptomatic, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. The blood tests are part of the diagnostic work-up — much like an MRI, much like a PET scan, etcetera. So if they're symptomatic, that's how I'm using the tests.
Dr. Marwan Sabbagh
Professor and the Vice Chair of Research, Barrow Neurological Institute
watch the video
Where in the diagnostic process does a blood biomarkers test come in?
This type of test is new. Experts are currently in the process of developing appropriate use recommendations. In general, the tests are provided to patients who have memory symptoms after a doctor has ruled out other potential causes of memory impairment like vitamin or hormone deficiency, sleep apnea, depression, and other medical conditions.
Read more
How it works: For patients
1. Quick blood draw (just like routine bloodwork)
2. Lab analysis(1 to 2 weeks)
3. Review results with doctor
Advice for patients and caregivers
Consult your doctor
Discuss any memory or cognitive concerns during regular check-ups. Work with your doctor to determine if further testing is needed. Early discussions help explore available blood testing options and plan ahead.
Professional assessment
Plan proactively
The future of Alzheimer’s diagnostics
Blood-based biomarkers show great potential in advancing Alzheimer's detection and care and helping people get accurate diagnoses, earlier.
- Ongoing research involves improving test accuracy and developing finger-prick tests that could make the process easier
- Once blood tests are cleared/approved by the FDA, they may be covered by Medicare making them more affordable
Want to learn more?
Visit
beingpatient.com
for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease
Return
Initial screening test
To help clinicians understand whether Alzheimer's is a possibility at the start of a diagnosis process for people showing cognitive symptoms.
Develop appropriate treatment strategy based on results
Important: Blood test follow-up must always be actionable. Tests are only ordered for patients who have previously established care.
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Transcript
The guide to
Blood‐based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease
Understanding blood-based biomarkers
What doctors see: Interpreting blood test results
New advances in blood-based testing
What are blood-based biomarkers?
Blood-based biomarkers are biological molecules that can signal disease-related biological changes in the body and brain.
Read more
Benefits of blood-based testing for Alzheimer's
Less invasive
Blood tests are a less invasive testing method that can be done in order to understand whether moving on to procedures like a spinal tap or PET scan is needed.
Accessible
Blood tests are easier to administer than these other methods. They can be significantly less expensive than other Alzheimer’s diagnostics, too. (Insurance coverage for Alzheimer's blood tests is variable.)
Clinically valuable
Simulation studies suggest blood tests might speed up Alzheimer’s diagnosis and allow people to access disease-modifying drugs sooner.
Read more
Core blood-based biomarkers
Proteins like beta-amyloid and tau build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. Blood biomarker tests look for a very specific kinds of these proteins. Different ratios mean different things as far as Alzheimer's risk.
Beta-amyloid plaques
There are two forms of beta amyloid protein: Aβ40 and Aβ42. A low Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio of these proteins in the blood suggests that a person may have beta-amyloid plaques in the brain.
Tau protein tangles
pTau-181 and pTau-217 are forms of tau protein. Elevated pTau-217 in the blood strongly correlates with amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles, the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.
A new landscape of diagnostics
There are a number of blood tests available to doctors and patients, and several are in the pipeline. These didn't initially require FDA clearance/approval, but new tests will.
As of now, tests can be ordered by a doctor. Guidelines do not currently recommend asymptomatic testing.
READ MORE
Who are Alzheimer's biomarker blood tests for?
People with cognitive symptoms can benefit from these tests: They help clinicians assess the likelihood of Alzheimer's disease and determine appropriate next steps in the diagnostic process.
Symptomatic patients
Patient with cognitive symptoms who has established care
Keep in mind: Results can be affected by
discover more blood tests
Who should get an Alzheimer's biomarker blood test?
Neurologist's perspective
The first thing is, I split symptomatic people from non-symptomatic people. In my practice, of course, I'm seeing fully symptomatic, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. The blood tests are part of the diagnostic work-up — much like an MRI, much like a PET scan, etcetera. So if they're symptomatic, that's how I'm using the tests.
Dr. Marwan Sabbagh
Professor and the Vice Chair of Research, Barrow Neurological Institute
watch the video
Where in the diagnostic process does a blood biomarkers test come in?
This type of test is new. Experts are currently in the process of developing appropriate use recommendations. In general, the tests are provided to patients who have memory symptoms after a doctor has ruled out other potential causes of memory impairment like vitamin or hormone deficiency, sleep apnea, depression, and other medical conditions.
Read more
How it works: For patients
1. Quick blood draw (just like routine bloodwork)
2. Lab analysis(1 to 2 weeks)
3. Review results with doctor
Advice for patients and caregivers
Consult your doctor
Discuss any memory or cognitive concerns during regular check-ups. Work with your doctor to determine if further testing is needed. Early discussions help explore available blood testing options and plan ahead.
Professional assessment
Plan proactively
The future of Alzheimer’s diagnostics
Blood-based biomarkers show great potential in advancing Alzheimer's detection and care and helping people get accurate diagnoses, earlier.
Want to learn more?
Visit
beingpatient.com
for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease
Return
Initial screening test
To help clinicians understand whether Alzheimer's is a possibility at the start of a diagnosis process for people showing cognitive symptoms.
Develop appropriate treatment strategy based on results
Important: Blood test follow-up must always be actionable. Tests are only ordered for patients who have previously established care.