Studies Show New Blood Test Can Accurately Diagnose Alzheimer's Disease

Scientists are making progress in developing a simple blood test to determine if a person has Alzheimer's disease. Currently, the only reliable way to diagnose a patient with Alzheimer's disease is by using a spinal tap or conducting a PET scan, which can be invasive and expensive.

While doctors can attempt to make a diagnosis based on a person's cognitive abilities, it sometimes is difficult to determine if a patient's impairment is caused by Alzheimer's disease or other physical conditions.

Researchers unveiled the results of multiple studies during a virtual event at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2020, which found that blood tests have been able to accurately identify patients with the disease. They said that the tests have an accuracy rate between 89% and 98%.

A cheap and effective blood test would be a significant breakthrough that would allow doctors to treat patients sooner and possibly even find a way to slow or reverse the disease's effects.

"This test really opens up the possibility of being able to use a blood test in the clinic to diagnose someone more definitely with Alzheimer's," said Dr. Maria Carrillo, chief science officer at the Alzheimer's Association, according to the New York Times. "Amazing, isn't it? I mean, really, five years ago, I would have told you it was science fiction."

The researchers said that if future studies go well, blood tests could be available in clinical settings in two or three years.

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