Blood test may detect Alzheimer’s risk in healthy people, study finds

Key Points:

• Researchers report that a blood test measuring p-tau217 levels may predict the likelihood of apparently healthy older adults developing Alzheimer's symptoms within five to 10 years, potentially aiding in early identification for clinical trials.
• The study found that individuals with very high p-tau217 levels had a 38% risk of cognitive impairment in five years, rising to 78% over 10 years, while those with low levels had a correspondingly low risk.
• Experts caution that the test is not yet recommended for general screening since no preventive treatments are currently available, and factors like other health conditions may affect risk predictions.
• The research, published in JAMA and presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, analyzed data from 2,684 initially healthy older adults tracked over up to 18 years.
• While the findings offer important insights into Alzheimer's progression, scientists emphasize the need for further validation and effective therapies before the blood test can be used for individualized prognosis or clinical decision-making.