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Early Detection Blood Test Could Transform Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer's

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 15 Aug 2023

Image: Researchers are working towards a ‘transformative’ early blood test for Alzheimer’s (Photo courtesy of Freepik)

Alzheimer's disease is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disorder that becomes worse over time and accounts for 60-70% of all cases of dementia. Recent findings suggest that changes can take place in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's before any noticeable symptoms appear. Now, a new blood test could transform the ability of clinicians to diagnose Alzheimer’s much in advance of any visible symptoms.

Roche Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) and Scottish Brain Sciences (Edinburgh, Scotland) have joined forces for a series of major projects focused on improving understanding of the earliest biological changes related to neurodegenerative diseases, using blood-based biomarkers. The aim is to be able to characterize and identify these changes that could result in accurate early diagnostic tests, potentially facilitating faster treatment for patients. Diagnosing Alzheimer's at an earlier stage could also help delay residential care and cut down costs related to health and social care.

In July, a global trial confirmed that a drug named donanemab was effective in slowing down cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. This antibody medicine was found to be most effective during the initial phases of the disease by eliminating a protein that accumulates in the brain. The study revealed that those in the early stages of the disease experienced the maximum benefits from the treatment. Efforts aimed at early intervention during the preliminary phases of Alzheimer's could prevent late-stage dementia syndromes related to neurodegenerative diseases. The collaboration between Roche and Scottish Brain Sciences guarantees that any blood tests developed through the partnership will be accessible to individuals impacted by the debilitating condition. The potential to identify Alzheimer's disease in its nascent stages could result in improved patient outcomes, the advancement of research, and reduced burden on healthcare systems.

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