Scientists Close In on Blood Test For Alzheimer's

Six research groups presented promising information on a potential blood test to screen for Alzheimer's at Monday's Alzheimer's Association International Conference, reports STAT News . One experimental test out of Japan appears to be about 88 percent accurate at indicating the risk levels for an older adult developing Alzheimer's. A functional blood test for Alzheimer's would be the realization of a long-held dream within the scientific and medical communities and would give doctors a relatively simple, safe, and practical way to ascertain if patients are at high risk. Dr. Richard Hodes, director of the National Institute on Aging, said the "promising" blood tests will soon be used to choose older adults for federally funded studies. If patients are identified early and studies begin promptly, there could be breakthroughs in treatment for the various forms of dementia.