Blood Test Predicts Alzheimer's Onset

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new blood test that can predict the age at which an individual will begin to show symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. This method, which measures elevated levels of the p-tau217 protein in plasma, is significantly cheaper and more accessible than current brain imaging scans or spinal fluid tests. The models developed by senior author Suzanne E. Schindler and lead author Kellen K. Petersen predicted symptom onset with a margin of error of three to four years. This advancement is expected to make clinical trials for preventive Alzheimer's treatments more efficient by identifying individuals likely to develop symptoms within a specific timeframe. The research team has shared their code and a web-based application to allow other scientists to refine these models further, with the ultimate goal of using this technology in individual clinical care.