Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

New FDA Approved Blood Test Can Predict Alzheimer’s Disease Before Symptoms Appear

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a <span>blood test</span> which can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in adults aged 55 and above. 

The blood test, known as Lumipulse, can detect amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease and has proven to be a “less invasive option” that “reduces reliance on PET scans and increases diagnosis accessibility.”

<span>FDA</span> Commissioner Martin A. Makary <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-clears-first-blood-test-used-diagnosing-alzheimers-disease" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer" rel= "noopener nofollow noreferrer" target= "_blank">said </a> of the landmark decision, "Alzheimer’s disease impacts too many people, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. 

"Knowing that 10% of people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's, and that by 2050 that number is expected to double, I am hopeful that new medical products such as this one will help patients."

It remains unclear when this test will be available for commercial use across the world. 

<h2>What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?</h2><span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/alzheimers-disease">Alzheimer's disease</a></span> is one of the most common forms of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/dementia">dementia</a></span> and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.

About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to being living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually.

Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.

Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques. At the same time, tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the brain's neurons from sending electrical and chemical signals back and forth.

Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them.

While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, <span>unhealthy diet</span> and social isolation.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.

There is no cure to this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.

<h2>How Does The Test Work?</h2>Lumipulse detects amyloid plaques and tangles in blood plasma and calculates the numerical ratio of the levels of the two proteins. Based on the ratio, the test shows a positive  or negative result for the disease. 

As explained by Dr Abhay Moghekar, an associate professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, who helped study and evaluate the test for FDA approval, "If this test is positive, there’s a greater than 90% chance that you have amyloid plaque in your brain.

"Getting a blood test is gonna be far easier, quicker and cheaper,” he said. “It’s going to allow early access to therapy, so it is going to revolutionize care of patients with dementia."

However, the federal agency also noted certain limitations associated with the test such as it can only be used for patients 55 and older who are already experiencing memory problems.

The FDA also cautions that the test is not intended as a standalone diagnostic tool for Alzheimer’s and results should be interpreted based on the patient’s medical history and other assessments, such as cognitive testing.

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The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a blood test which can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in adults aged 55 and above. The blood test, known as Lumipulse, can detect amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease and has proven to be a “less invasive option” that “reduces reliance on PET scans and increases diagnosis accessibility.”FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary said  of the landmark decision, "Alzheimer’s disease impacts too many people, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. "Knowing that 10% of people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's, and that by 2050 that number is expected to double, I am hopeful that new medical products such as this one will help patients."It remains unclear when this test will be available for commercial use across the world. What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to being living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually.Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques. At the same time, tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the brain's neurons from sending electrical and chemical signals back and forth. Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them. While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and social isolation.Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.There is no cure to this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.How Does The Test Work?Lumipulse detects amyloid plaques and tangles in blood plasma and calculates the numerical ratio of the levels of the two proteins. Based on the ratio, the test shows a positive  or negative result for the disease. As explained by Dr Abhay Moghekar, an associate professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, who helped study and evaluate the test for FDA approval, "If this test is positive, there’s a greater than 90% chance that you have amyloid plaque in your brain."Getting a blood test is gonna be far easier, quicker and cheaper,” he said. “It’s going to allow early access to therapy, so it is going to revolutionize care of patients with dementia."However, the federal agency also noted certain limitations associated with the test such as it can only be used for patients 55 and older who are already experiencing memory problems. The FDA also cautions that the test is not intended as a standalone diagnostic tool for Alzheimer’s and results should be interpreted based on the patient’s medical history and other assessments, such as cognitive testing.