diagnosing alzheimer’s through a simple blood test could be a reality in the coming future, according to a large-scale international study published in the journal of the american medical association (jama) on tuesday. the results of the study were simultaneously presented virtually at the alzheimer’s association international conference 2020.
advertisement
“there is an urgent need for simple, inexpensive, non-invasive and easily available diagnostic tools for alzheimer’s,” said maria carrillo, chief science officer of the alzheimer’s association in a press release . “new testing technologies could also support drug development in many ways. for example, by helping identify the right people for clinical trials, and by tracking the impact of therapies being tested.”
eric reiman, a senior author on the study, commented, “blood tests like p-tau217 have the potential to revolutionize alzheimer’s research, treatment and prevention trials, and clinical care. “while there’s more work to do, i anticipate that their impact in both the research and clinical setting will become readily apparent within the next two years.”
advertisement
according to the alzheimer’s association , almost a million canadians have been diagnosed with alzheimer’s or a form of dementia. at least 44 million people worldwide, more than canada’s total population, have dementia. without progress in prevention therapies, the disease will continue to remain a global health crisis.