MADISON, Wis. (WSAW) – A simple blood test measuring a brain protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease may predict cognitive impairment in older adults who currently show no symptoms, according to new research presented last week at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. The full study is published in JAMA.
Data from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health was used in the study, which analyzed information from nearly 2,700 cognitively unimpaired adults across six worldwide cohorts, including participants in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention.
Key findings
The study measured levels of p-tau217, a protein that marks amyloid buildup in the brain and is associated with early Alzheimer’s disease development. Researchers found that symptom-free older adults with very high levels of p-tau217 had an estimated 78% risk of developing cognitive impairment within five years.
The blood test provided information about future Alzheimer’s risk beyond what could be determined through brain imaging and genetic testing alone. Researchers said the findings could help identify healthy but at-risk individuals for prevention trials and support earlier monitoring and treatment decisions.
What the findings mean
Dr. Jessica Caldwell, multi-principal investigator of the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention at UW–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, said the results carry implications for both research and patient care…