An Alzheimer's blood test is almost here

Plus more health news | Email not displaying correctly? [View it in your browser.]( [Health Matters]( [We’re getting closer to a blood test for Alzheimer’s]( By Alice Park Senior Health Correspondent Nearly 7 million people over age 65 in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s, but it's a difficult condition to diagnose. Currently, doctors rely on two tests: a PET scan of the brain that looks for amyloid buildup, or a lumbar puncture so they can analyze the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for signs of amyloid or another protein, tau. They are expensive or invasive, and with the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s expected to grow to nearly 14 million by 2060, finding easier and more accessible ways to diagnose the disease is a top priority. That’s why doctors are excited by the results of a study showing that a blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer’s is about 95% accurate—which is on par with CSF. The test, made by ALZPath, detects a specific form of tau that tends to increase as amounts of amyloid start to accumulate in the brain. The advantage, say the scientists who conducted the study, is that levels of tau start to rise early in the disease, before symptoms of memory loss and other signs of cognitive decline. That’s important for patients, since recent drug treatments are most effective when patients take them earlier in the disease. The company says that the blood-based test will be available for doctors to order next month through certain certified labs. [READ MORE]( Share This Story WHAT ELSE TO READ [Experimental Gene Therapy Allows Kids with Inherited Deafness to Hear]( By LAURA UNGAR/AP So far, the experimental therapies target only one rare condition. [Read More »]( [How to Use and Take Care of Your Humidifier]( By Haley Weiss Humidifiers are more complicated to clean than many other household appliances. [Read More »]( [Robitussin Cough Syrup Is Recalled Due to Contamination]( By Matthew Perrone/AP The products may pose severe risks to people with weakened immune systems, the manufacturer says. [Read More »]( [Getting More Education Can Help You Live Longer]( By Alice Park And the more years spent in school, the better, according to a new study. [Read More »]( [Unexplained Weight Loss Is Linked to Cancer]( By Jemima Denham/Bloomberg Treating weight as an important vital sign may help doctors spot cancer earlier. [Read More »]( AN EXPERT VOICE "We think this is a first signal that these drugs can be used as plasticity-enhancing agents." — Dr. Nolan Williams, associate professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, on a recent study of the psychedelic ibogaine for treating traumatic brain injuries and mental-health conditions If you were forwarded this and want to sign up to receive it daily, [click here](. Today's newsletter was written by Alice Park and Jamie Ducharme, and edited by Mandy Oaklander. [Want more from TIME? Sign up for our other newsletters.]( [Subscribe to TIME]( TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Connect with TIME via [Facebook]( | [Twitter]( | [Newsletters]( [UNSUBSCRIBE]( [PRIVACY POLICY]( [YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS]( TIME Customer Service, P.O. Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508 Questions? Contact health@time.com Copyright © 2024 TIME USA, LLC. All rights reserved.