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Blood test could predict onset of Alzheimer's symptoms

2026-02-22 08:44:00, Shëndeti CNA

Blood test could predict onset of Alzheimer's symptoms

A simple blood test can accurately predict when symptoms of Alzheimer's disease will begin, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, published February 19 in Nature Medicine.

The researchers focused on a protein called p-tau217, which is found in the blood and is linked to the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain — two of the key biological hallmarks of Alzheimer's. By analyzing levels of this protein, the scientists were able to predict the onset of cognitive decline within a range of 3 to 3.7 years.

Lead author of the study, Kellen Petersen, compared the process to the rings of a tree. “Just as the rings show the age of a tree, levels of amyloid and tau follow a consistent pattern that helps us predict when symptoms will appear,” he said.

The study included 603 adults with an average age of 67.7 years. The results showed that age plays a significant role in how the brain copes with the buildup of toxic proteins. For example, a 60-year-old with high levels of the protein may not show symptoms for about 20 years, while an 80-year-old with the same levels may experience them after just 11 years.

Currently, identifying Alzheimer's risk requires expensive brain scans or invasive procedures like cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The new blood test offers a faster, less expensive and more accessible alternative that could change the way doctors approach diagnosing and treating the disease.

Although the test is currently used mainly in scientific research, experts believe that in the future it could help patients and doctors plan early interventions to prevent or slow the progression of the disease./ CNA





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