Blood Tests for Alzheimer's Are Here

Blood Tests for Alzheimer's Are Here New diagnostic kits aim to revolutionize early screening of the disease, potentially allowing patients to receive treatments--such as monoclonal antibodies--sooner. Last month, The US Food and Drug Administration approved a new blood test for assisting the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Tau is one of two proteins, the other being amyloid, that become malformed and accumulate in the brains of patients with certain types of dementia. It is believed that the buildup of these proteins interferes with the communication of brain cells, leading to these patients' symptoms. The test had already received authorization in July for marketing in Europe and is thus the first early screening system for Alzheimer's for use in primary care settings approved in the planet's two major pharmaceutical markets.