New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease

January 20, 2021

A promising blood test (C2N) for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) will possibly allow doctors to detect AD earlier and help monitor response to treatment. Proposed in the summer of 2020 at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), this new test ensures a more affordable, accessible, and less invasive way of detecting AD. 

Currently, cerebrospinal fluid testing is a known predictor for AD, however, it can be a painful and expensive procedure. Positron emission tomography (PET scan) is an accurate but costly alternative. As a result, doctors often rely on a patient’s history, cognitive assessments, and neurologic examinations, which may lead to delayed diagnoses. 

The new blood test analyzes biomarkers that reflect the presence of amyloid plaques, or clusters of proteins between neurons, a distinctive characteristic of AD. By measuring the ratio of two isoforms (proteins similar in function) of the amyloid-beta protein and isoforms of ApoE (apolipoprotein E), the test can determine whether patients have the genetic variant associated with AD risk.

Overall, the blood test provides hope for early detection of AD, which can help us to test novel treatments and allow us to monitor response to therapy.

Works Cited

Hojjati, Parnaz. "Potential New Blood Test in Alzheimer's Disease Could Advance Treatment." University of Michigan Health Lab, U of Michigan, 19 Aug. 2020, labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/potential-new-blood-test-alzheimers-disease-could-advance-treatment. Accessed 20 Jan. 2021.

Williams, Shawna. "First Alzheimer's Blood Test Rolled out for Clinical Use in US." The Scientist, Scientist, 2 Nov. 2020, www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/first-alzheimers-blood-test-rolled-out-for-clinical-use-in-us-68117. Accessed 20 Jan. 2021.