Simple blood test shows promise in detecting Alzheimer’s disease

SACRAMENTO, The United States | Xinhua | A groundbreaking study revealed that a simple blood test can detect Alzheimer’s disease more accurately than experienced doctors.

Published on Sunday in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, the research showed that this new test could revolutionize diagnosing Alzheimer’s, making it easier and more accessible for patients in local clinics and specialized memory centers.

The study in Sweden examined over 1,200 patients with memory concerns. Researchers found that the blood test, known as APS2, correctly identified Alzheimer’s disease 88 to 92 percent of the time.

This performance surpassed family doctors and specialists, who were accurate only 58 percent and 71 percent of the time, respectively, when relying on standard exams and cognitive tests.

One of the test’s key advantages is its reliability across different patient groups, including those with other health conditions like kidney disease. It also performed well for patients at various stages of memory loss, from those with mild worries to those with more severe symptoms.

The researchers suggested that this blood test could be particularly valuable in primary care settings, where access to specialized brain scans or spinal fluid tests is often limited. It may also help identify patients who could benefit from newly developed Alzheimer’s treatments.

However, researchers emphasized that the blood test should not be the sole method for diagnosing Alzheimer’s. Instead, it should be considered alongside a patient’s symptoms and other medical information to provide a comprehensive assessment.

While these results are promising, the report said, further research was still needed to confirm the test’s effectiveness in diverse populations and to understand its impact on patient care in real-world settings. ■