Blood tests for Alzheimer’s could come to doctor’s office

Novel blood tests could help clinicians diagnose patients with Alzheimer’s disease more quickly and accurately, according to an article published in JAMA.

In a study by Lund University, patients who visited either a primary care physician or a specialist for memory complaints received an initial diagnosis using traditional exams, gave blood for testing and were sent for a confirmatory spinal tap or brain scan.

Researchers discovered that the primary care physicians’ initial diagnoses were 61% accurate and the specialists’ diagnoses were 73% accurate; however, the blood tests were 91% accurate.

The study authors concluded: “Future studies should evaluate how the use of blood tests for these biomarkers influences clinical care.”

Read more: JAMA

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