New York: In what could be a path-breaking development in the field of medicine, the US has approved the first-ever blood test to help detect Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages.
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, results in the shrinking of a human’s brain with age, and leads to memory loss and cognitive skills.
Though there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, medicines that slow down the progression of the disease have been approved.
The new blood test will offer hope to millions facing the devastating neurological condition as it can be detected at an early stage, giving a chance for treatment.
Developed by Fujirebio Diagnostics, the test measures the ratio of two specific proteins in the brain — amyloid plaques and tau plaques.
Until now, these could be identified only through costly PET scans or invasive spinal fluid tests.
Announcing the approval, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hoped that it would be a turning point in how the disease is diagnosed and managed.
“Alzheimer’s disease impacts too many people, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. “Knowing that 10% of people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s, and that by 2050 that number is expected to double, I am hopeful that new medical products such as this one will help patients,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary.
The breakthrough blood test has been approved for use in clinical settings for patients who are already showing signs of cognitive decline.
As of now, there are two FDA-approved drugs — lecanemab and donanemab — that are prescribed to target amyloid plaques.
Treatments through these drugs have shown they can slow down Alzheimer’s progression, especially if started early. Hence, timely diagnosis becomes crucial.
“Today’s clearance is an important step for Alzheimer’s diagnosis. It makes the process easier and potentially more accessible for US patients earlier in the disease,” said Dr Michelle Tarver of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
