A blood test could detect Alzheimer's disease 15 years before symptoms emerge

Alzheimer's disease is a serious neurological disorder and its diagnosis has become more crucial for management of the disease. The characteristic symptoms of dementia can be devasting. A simple blood test can detect Alzheimer’s up to 15 years before symptoms emerge, with experts claiming it could “revolutionise” early diagnosis of the disease.

Swedish trials found the test to be as accurate at detecting the signs of Alzheimer’s as painful lumbar punctures, and better than a range of other tests currently being worked on. Experts say it could pave the way for a national screening programme for the over-50s, and that current treatments could work better with the cases picked up earlier.

In the trial of 786 people-conducted by Dr Nicholas Ashton at the University of Gothenburg, and colleagues, published in the JAMA Neurology journal found that the researchers were able to use it to categorise a patient’s likelihood of having Alzheimer’s.

Phosphorylated tau (p-tau) is a specific blood biomarker for Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology, with p-tau217 considered to have the most utility. However, availability of p-tau217 tests for research and clinical use has been limited. 

The test works by measuring levels of a protein called p-tau217 in the blood that indicate biological changes taking place in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease. It could identify patients as likely, intermediate or unlikely to have Alzheimer’s disease and potentially rule out the need for further, more invasive investigations.

Prof David Curtis, honorary professor, UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, said: “Everybody over 50 could be routinely screened every few years, in much the same way as they are now screened for high cholesterol.

“It is possible that currently available treatments for Alzheimer’s disease would work better in those diagnosed early in this way. However, I think the real hope is that better treatments can also be developed.

“The combination of a simple screening test with an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease would have a dramatic impact for individuals and for society.”The test is made by company ALZpath and is already commercially available.

The higher the levels of p-tau217 in the blood, the more likely or advanced the disease was.

A University College London-led study has claimed the test could detect the first signs of the disease up to 15 years before symptoms start showing.

Dr Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said the study “adds to a growing body of evidence that this particular test has huge potential to revolutionise diagnosis for people with suspected Alzheimer’s”.

Currently, the only way to prove that someone has a build-up of the proteins in the brain is to have a lumbar puncture, which involves a needle being inserted into the lower back, or a scan available in only about one in 20 NHS memory clinics.

Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “This study is a hugely welcome step in the right direction as it shows that blood tests can be just as accurate as more invasive and expensive tests at predicting if someone has features of Alzheimer’s disease in their brain.

“Furthermore, it suggests results from these tests could be clear enough to not require further follow-up investigations for some people living with Alzheimer’s disease, which could speed up the diagnosis pathway significantly in future.

In conclusion, this study found that a commercially available plasma p-tau217 immunoassay accurately identified biological AD, comparable with results using CSF biomarkers, with reproducible cut-offs across cohorts. It detected longitudinal changes, including at the preclinical stage.

Reference: Ashton NJ, Brum WS, Di Molfetta G, et al. Diagnostic Accuracy of a Plasma Phosphorylated Tau 217 Immunoassay for Alzheimer Disease Pathology. JAMA Neurol. Published online January 22, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.5319