Blood Test Predicts Alzheimer's Progression Years Before Symptoms or Brain Scan Changes

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have discovered that a blood test measuring plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217), an Alzheimer's disease biomarker, can predict the progression of amyloid PET scan changes and cognitive decline in cognitively healthy older adults years before symptoms emerge or brain imaging reveals abnormalities. The study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrates that pTau217 levels can forecast which individuals are at risk for cognitive decline. This finding could enable simpler and earlier Alzheimer's disease prediction compared to current brain imaging methods, potentially transforming how clinicians identify at-risk patients and design clinical trials.

Blood test predicts Alzheimer's progression before symptoms appear

• ▪Plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217) is an Alzheimer's disease biomarker.
• ▪A blood test of plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217) can predict the progression of amyloid PET scan changes in cognitively healthy older adults.

Study methodology and findings from Mass General Brigham

• ▪Investigators at Mass General Brigham conducted a study on plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217) as an Alzheimer's disease biomarker.
• ▪The Mass General Brigham study results on plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217) are published in Nature Communications.

Implications for earlier disease detection and risk assessment

• ▪The plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217) blood test findings may enable simpler, earlier Alzheimer's disease prediction.
• ▪The plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217) blood test findings may indicate who is at risk for cognitive decline.

Perspective of Mass General Brigham researchers

• ▪The plasma phosphorylated tau 217 blood test can detect Alzheimer's disease progression years before symptoms appear.
• ▪The plasma phosphorylated tau 217 blood test could make Alzheimer's disease prediction simpler than current brain imaging methods.

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