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Dublin, Ireland – Up to half of all people living with Alzheimer’s disease in Ireland remain undiagnosed. However, groundbreaking research suggests that a new blood test could transform patient care by enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses, leading to timely interventions and targeted treatments.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin, the Tallaght Institute of Memory and Cognition, and St James’s Hospital, Dublin, are investigating the potential of plasma p-tau217, a new blood test, to detect Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This test could significantly reduce the need for the current invasive lumbar puncture (spinal tap) method, making diagnosis easier and more efficient for patients with early symptoms.
The findings of the study have been published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring.
Addressing an Urgent Need
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately 70% of dementia cases in Ireland, where over 60,000 people live with the condition. However, current diagnostic methods rely on biomarkers found in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), obtained via a lumbar puncture (LP) procedure. Many patients lack a formal diagnosis, emphasizing the need for improved diagnostic methods that are both accurate and scalable.
Key Findings of the Study
This research is among the first in Europe to evaluate the “real-world” performance of plasma p-tau217 in patients with mild symptoms attending a specialist memory service. The study involved 148 patients at Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) who provided blood and CSF samples, enabling researchers to compare the new blood test with existing CSF biomarkers. Importantly, the test was conducted using Lumipulse, a fully automated system already available in clinical diagnostic laboratories.
Results showed that the blood test was over 90% as accurate as the lumbar puncture-based method. This suggests that integrating plasma p-tau217 into clinical practice could significantly reduce the number of diagnostic LPs required each year, easing the diagnostic process for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Potential Impact on Clinical Practice
According to the research team, the new blood test could replace more than half of the 150-200 diagnostic LP procedures conducted annually at the Tallaght Institute of Memory and Cognition.
Dr. Jean Dunne, Chief Medical Scientist at St James’s Hospital and Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, stated, “This blood test is not yet available in Ireland, but our research supports its future implementation. The transition from research to diagnostic use will depend on collaboration between scientists, clinical teams, and hospital management.”
Dr. Adam Dyer, Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine at Trinity College Dublin, highlighted the importance of using an automated testing system, which enhances reliability and reproducibility. “We are incredibly grateful to the 148 patients who participated in this research by donating their blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples,” he said.
Professor Seán Kennelly, Director of the Tallaght Institute of Memory and Cognition, emphasized the significance of the study, stating, “By demonstrating the clinical utility of blood-based biomarkers, we are moving closer to a future where diagnosing Alzheimer’s is less invasive, more accessible, and available to a wider population.”
Looking Ahead
As the global medical community continues to seek advancements in Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment, studies like this pave the way for a future where early and accurate detection becomes the norm. The hope is that, with further validation, plasma p-tau217 testing could soon be integrated into routine clinical practice, benefiting thousands of patients and their families.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Patients should consult their healthcare providers for personalized medical guidance.
