Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine developed a highly accurate blood test that can predict when symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease will start. The “Alzheimer’s clock” uses plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217) levels to estimate the age when symptoms will appear within three to four years.
Researchers analyzed data from 603 older adult participants and found that elevated p-tau217 levels correlated strongly with amyloid and tau accumulation in the brain. This led to the development of a clock model signaling when to expect Alzheimer’s symptom onset.
Similar blood test predictors have shown promise in predicting memory decline and cognitive function. The new study suggests that using this test could lead to earlier prevention strategies and more targeted monitoring, accelerating research on risk factors for dementia.
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but predictive models like the “Alzheimer’s clock” are being explored as a potential tool for developing treatments that prevent or slow symptom onset.
Source: https://www.ktvu.com/news/alzheimers-clock-highly-accurate-blood-test-can-predict-when-symptoms-may-start-study-says