Alzheimer's diagnosis accuracy reaches 90% via new blood tests

New medical advancements allow for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease through blood tests with 90% accuracy. By utilizing biomarkers such as phosphorylated tau-217 (p-tau217) and beta-amyloid 1-42 (Aβ42), clinicians can achieve faster and more targeted identification of the disease.

Magda Tsolaki, Professor of Neurology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and President of the Panhellenic Federation of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, presented these findings during a lecture in Thessaloniki. She noted that while a negative result can rule out Alzheimer's, these tests do not replace the full diagnostic process, which still requires clinical examination, neuropsychological assessment, and MRI scans.

Addressing prevention, addressing specific modifiable risk factors could potentially reduce the expected number of dementia cases by 45% by 2050. While new drugs that slow disease progression have been approved, patient access remains limited due to high costs. The Panhellenic Federation is currently calling for these new diagnostic tests to be provided free of charge, noting that the total cost for these procedures can reach 485 euros.