New Blood Test Hails Potential Breakthrough in Alzheimer's Diagnosis
A groundbreaking finger-prick blood test is being developed to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, offering a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to current methods. Researchers are investigating whether this novel test can accurately detect biomarkers associated with the disease, which involves abnormal proteins in the brain.
The trial, known as Bio-Hermes-002, will enroll 1,000 adults over 60 from the US, UK, and Canada, and has already seen 883 participants enroll. The study compares blood samples collected from volunteers undergoing cognitive tests, MRI scans, PET scans, and a spinal fluid test to confirm diagnoses.
Currently, doctors rely on a range of methods, including cognitive exams, physical tests, interviews with loved ones, brain imaging, and sometimes a spinal fluid test, which can be expensive, particularly for patients in the US where PET scans can cost up to $3,000 without insurance. A 2025 FDA-approved blood test from Fujirebio Diagnostics measures amyloid and tau proteins but requires a syringe draw.
The new finger-prick blood test is being developed by the Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation, LifeArc, and the UK Dementia Research Institute. If successful, it could provide an accurate and ubiquitous test to detect abnormal amyloid protein in the brain without the need for expensive investigations. A recent trial showed promising results, with the blood test demonstrating 92% accuracy in diagnosing patients compared to brain scans and spinal fluid tests.
The development of this new blood test has significant implications for Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment, as early detection is crucial for accessing medications that can slow disease progression and increasing eligibility for clinical trials.
A groundbreaking finger-prick blood test is being developed to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, offering a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to current methods. Researchers are investigating whether this novel test can accurately detect biomarkers associated with the disease, which involves abnormal proteins in the brain.
The trial, known as Bio-Hermes-002, will enroll 1,000 adults over 60 from the US, UK, and Canada, and has already seen 883 participants enroll. The study compares blood samples collected from volunteers undergoing cognitive tests, MRI scans, PET scans, and a spinal fluid test to confirm diagnoses.
Currently, doctors rely on a range of methods, including cognitive exams, physical tests, interviews with loved ones, brain imaging, and sometimes a spinal fluid test, which can be expensive, particularly for patients in the US where PET scans can cost up to $3,000 without insurance. A 2025 FDA-approved blood test from Fujirebio Diagnostics measures amyloid and tau proteins but requires a syringe draw.
The new finger-prick blood test is being developed by the Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation, LifeArc, and the UK Dementia Research Institute. If successful, it could provide an accurate and ubiquitous test to detect abnormal amyloid protein in the brain without the need for expensive investigations. A recent trial showed promising results, with the blood test demonstrating 92% accuracy in diagnosing patients compared to brain scans and spinal fluid tests.
The development of this new blood test has significant implications for Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment, as early detection is crucial for accessing medications that can slow disease progression and increasing eligibility for clinical trials.
This finger-prick blood test could be a game-changer for folks with Alzheimer's! I mean, think about it - no more expensive PET scans or spinal fluid tests 
. The fact that it's showing 92% accuracy in diagnosing patients is mind-blowing 
. That's music to my ears! I'm definitely keeping an eye on this development - early detection of Alzheimer's can make all the difference for those affected by it 
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i mean we've got all these fancy tests 4 brain imaging nd spinal fluid but they're like 10x more expensive than just a simple finger prick 
it would make sence if dis new test is as accurate as ppl say its gonna b, i mean 92% accuracy wud be huge!!! early detection would definitely help ppl access meds nd clinical trials faster 
. The potential for early detection and timely treatment is huge - let's hope this new test delivers 
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It's crazy how much this could change the game for Alzheimer's patients and their families. We just need to keep supporting research like this so we can find cures and better treatments! 
I mean, think about it, no more needles, no more expensive tests... just a quick finger prick and you know what's going on with your brain 
. And it's not just about the diagnosis, it's about getting patients the treatment they need ASAP 