We dug deep and talked to neurologists, biotech companies and other experts: Here are your Alzheimer's blood test questions answered.
This week Being Patient did an extensive series of reports on blood tests for Alzheimer’s, because beyond the headlines, there are a lot of unknowns. If you google “Alzheimer’s blood tests,” you find headlines claiming these tests offer a “15-year warning” or “provide an accurate diagnosis.” Unfortunately, these things just aren’t true. At least not yet.
New Alzheimer’s blood tests look for biomarkers of Alzheimer’s. Some target beta-amyloid plaque, while others detect tau proteins. These biomarkers are often present years to decades before symptoms appear.
While promising for the future, we saw that our community needed clarification on just where the technology is, and how reliable it is, not to mention what these tests could mean for your insurance coverage.
Although the diagnosis field is changing rapidly, and blood tests do offer better opportunities to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s, a full-blown diagnosis still isn’t possible by looking at the blood.
Today, most of these new tests are used in a clinical setting. At the moment, they are a good addition to doctors’ tool sets, adding another data point to diagnosis. As more tests are developed, we will have better and better data on just how useful they really are.
Wondering where to get an Alzheimer’s blood test? Here’s every test currently available, and how accurate it is — plus five things to consider before getting one:
As direct-to-consumer Alzheimer’s tests become more widely available, experts warn there are a few things to keep in mind.
Blood tests that screen for biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease are growing more widely available. But the results can be very tough to interpret. Here’s what you need to know.
As of February 2024, here are the blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease currently available to U.S. patients, how much they cost, how accurate they are.
Your Guide to Alzheimer’s Blood Tests: Pricing, Accuracy, and Where to Get One
Being Patient contributing editor and neurology researcher Simon Spichak did a deep dive into all the Alzheimer’s blood tests currently on the market. What he found: frustration, confusion, and a bit of absurdity.
4 Frustrating Things I Learned Reporting On Alzheimer’s Blood Tests