In a historic first, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s, a neurodegenerative disease long associated with aging, memory loss, and physiological decline. Although a disorder like Alzheimer’s may only seem like a concern for older adults, it’s also news for us: students, especially those balancing coursework, jobs, and all the responsibilities that come with life. Others are entering healthcare careers or are learning about the brain for the first time. It cannot be something that we ignore until retirement.
Alzheimer’s: A Brief History
Alzheimer’s disease was first identified in 1906 by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who found abnormal protein clumps and tangled fibers in the brain of Auguste Deter, a late patient who had exhibited severe memory issues. These became known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which are now considered the beginning of the disease’s progression.
For decades, diagnosing Alzheimer’s required either a PET scan to look for amyloid protein buildup, or a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, which involves the insertion of a spinal needle: expensive and invasive. Scientists have been working on creating a simpler solution for years – a blood test. The newly approved test detects a form of amyloid beta protein in the blood, which provides doctors a way to identify Alzheimer’s disease in its earlier stages.
The Breakthrough
Dr. Randall Bateman, professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine, led the team that developed this new blood test. “This blood test clearly identifies Alzheimer’s tau tangles, which is our best biomarker measure of Alzheimer’s symptoms and dementia,” Bateman explained in a news release. “It can provide a much better indication if the symptoms are due to Alzheimer’s and may also help doctors decide which treatments are best for their patients.”
The breakthrough came from detecting a form of tangled fibers in the brain in the blood called MTBR-tau243, a strong indicator of brain tangles. In clinical trials across two international research groups, the test distinguished people with Alzheimer’s from those with other forms of dementia with 92% accuracy.
The project included scientists Dr. Kanta Horie, Dr. Gemma Salvadó, and Dr. Oskar Hansson, who emphasized that this test brings us closer to personalized medicine. With several experimental drugs that are currently in development targeting specific stages of the disease, these blood tests will help doctors choose the right treatment for each patient.
Why Should We Care?
Alzheimer’s isn’t just about aging. Research shows that sleep, physical activity, and mentally stimulating environments may help protect the brain from decline. Even learning new materials in class builds what some researchers call “cognitive reserve” – mental strength that lasts a lifetime. “This is the beginning of a new era,” said Horie. “When we know what’s happening in the brain, we can act earlier and act smarter.”
With easier and more accurate tools to detect this disease, doctors will be able to act earlier and choose better treatments. For patients, families, and all community members, this blood test marks a major step forward in the world of healthcare.
