The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first blood test for Alzheimer’s disease, developed by Fujirebio Diagnostics. The test measures the ratio of two proteins in the blood, which is correlated with amyloid plaques in the brain. This breakthrough could help patients begin treatment earlier, using newly approved drugs that slow disease progression.
The FDA-approved treatments, lecanemab and donanemab, target amyloid plaque and have shown modest slowing of cognitive decline. However, they do not cure the disease. Advocates say intravenous antibody therapies can offer patients a few more months of independence and may be more effective when started earlier in the disease’s course.
The blood test results are largely consistent with PET brain scans and spinal fluid analysis. The FDA has authorized the test for use in clinical settings, where it will help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in patients showing signs of cognitive decline. This move aims to make diagnosis easier and potentially more accessible for US patients earlier in the disease.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/the-us-just-approved-the-first-blood-test-for-alzheimers-disease