A new blood test could help doctors detect Alzheimer’s disease early and track its progress. This test may improve treatment options, especially for newer drugs like donanemab and lecanemab. These medicines work best in the early stages of the disease, so finding it early is important.
Prof. Oskar Hansson from Lund University said there is a need for better and cheaper tests. More countries are approving treatments that target amyloid plaques, making accurate tests even more important.
A Key Protein Helps Detect the Disease
Alzheimer’s is caused by the buildup of harmful proteins in the brain. One type, called amyloid plaques, clumps together. Another type, called tau tangles, forms twisted fibers inside brain cells. These changes lead to memory loss and confusion.
A study in Nature Medicine focused on a small piece of tau protein called eMTBR-tau243. Researchers found it in blood samples from patients. It was strongly linked to tau tangles, which are a sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study included 902 people. Those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s had higher levels of eMTBR-tau243 in their blood. The levels were even higher in patients with severe dementia. People with memory loss caused by other diseases did not have these high levels. This suggests that eMTBR-tau243 is a specific marker for Alzheimer’s disease.
Prof. Tara Spires-Jones from the University of Edinburgh called the findings promising. She said this marker may be better than current tests. It could also help doctors see if treatments are working. However, she warned that the test is complex. Right now, it is not ready for routine use. Scientists need to develop simpler and cheaper versions.
A Step Toward Better Alzheimer’s Care
Dr. Sheona Scales from Alzheimer’s Research UK said eMTBR-tau243 is one of many biomarkers being studied. A biomarker is something in the body that helps doctors diagnose a disease. What makes this one special is its link to thinking and memory skills. It shows how Alzheimer’s affects the brain over time.
Another study, also in Nature Medicine, looked at 3,397 cerebrospinal fluid samples. Researchers from the US, Sweden, and Finland studied two proteins called YWHAG and NPTX2. They found that changes in these proteins were linked to memory loss, even when amyloid and tau levels were normal.
Prof. Tony Wyss-Coray from Stanford University helped with this study. He said these findings could help match patients with the best treatments. They could also improve clinical trials by finding patients in the early stages of the disease.
What This Means for Patients
These discoveries could lead to better Alzheimer’s tests and treatments. If doctors can diagnose the disease early, they can start treatments sooner. This may slow down memory loss and other symptoms.
Better tests could also help with clinical trials. When testing new medicines, scientists need to find the right patients. If they can identify people with Alzheimer’s sooner, they can test new drugs more effectively.
Challenges Ahead
Despite these exciting findings, experts warn that there are still problems to solve. Right now, the eMTBR-tau243 test is expensive and difficult to use. Researchers need to create a simpler and cheaper version before it can be used in hospitals and clinics.
Prof. Spires-Jones said that more research is needed. Scientists must confirm that this test works in different groups of people. They also need to see if it can be used outside of research labs.
The Future of Alzheimer’s Testing
These studies offer hope for better Alzheimer’s care. They show that blood tests and biomarkers could improve diagnosis and treatment. If researchers can develop easy-to-use tests, doctors may be able to detect Alzheimer’s much earlier than before.
This could lead to personalized treatments that work better for each patient. Instead of waiting for severe symptoms, doctors could step in early. This could make a big difference in the lives of people at risk for Alzheimer’s.
While more work is needed, these findings are an important step forward. They bring new hope to patients and their families.