Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder hallmarked by amyloid-beta (Aβ) plagues and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau (p-Tau), with progressive loss of neuronal function and cell death.
AD neuropathologies can be present but remain undetected, in part due to high cost and limited accessibility of existing diagnostic tools. These practical limitations can significantly delay diagnosis and intervention, negatively impacting patient outcomes.
Fluid biomarkers are emerging as a powerful tool for diagnosing AD. The CFL Aβ42/40 test was the first FDA-approved test to assist in the diagnosis of AD and can serve as evidence of amyloid pathology to support eligibility for lecanemab treatment. Blood-based tests show promise as diagnostic aids that dramatically increase accessibility and decrease costs and procedural distress relative to CSF or imaging. Levels of p-Tau 181 and 217 have been shown to correlate with Aβ and tau PET and differentiate AD from other neurodegenerative disorders. Utilizing these tests can provide a superior diagnosis of AD, discriminating from other types of dementia.
