Researchers have developed a blood test that may help diagnose 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 disease and assess its progression in patients with memory and thinking issues.
Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis and Lund University in Sweden announced the development in a study published in the journal Nature Medicine on March 26.
According to the study published in the journal Nature Medicine, the test detects a tau protein fragment, eMTBR-tau243, which correlates with the build-up of tau tangles in the brain 鈥� a key marker of 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚.
The study involving 902 participants found higher levels of this fragment in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and dementia caused by 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚, but not in those with other conditions.
Experts say this test could improve treatment decisions, especially with new 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 drugs like donanemab and lecanemab, which are most effective in early stages.
Scientists, however, caution that the test requires specialised lab equipment and is not yet widely available.
Separate research has also identified a protein ratio in brain fluid that may predict cognitive decline.
According to experts, both findings could lead to better diagnostics and more personalised treatments for 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 patients.
The new study represents a significant advancement in ability to identify the severity of this neurodegenerative disorder through a relatively non-invasive method 鈥� a simple blood draw.
For decades, the diagnosis of 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 has been a challenging endeavour, particularly because the symptoms, such as cognitive decline and memory impairment, can stem from various causes.
Existing blood tests have primarily focused on detecting the presence of 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚-related proteins, such as amyloid beta, which accumulates in plaques in the brain.
The key innovation from the research, however, lies in its ability to measure the levels of a specific MTBR-tau243. The ability to determine how far 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 disease has progressed using this biomarker could profoundly influence treatment decisions.
The study reveals that MTBR-tau243 levels in the bloodstream hold a direct correlation with the accumulation of toxic tau aggregates in the brain, providing a clear picture not only of whether an individual has 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 but also of the disease鈥檚 stage.
This relationship is vital since current 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 therapies prove most effective at the early stages of the disease.
Understanding a patient鈥檚 degree of impairment is essential for physicians to tailor treatments accordingly, ensuring that individuals receive the most appropriate therapeutic options based on their specific needs.
The researchers also highlighted that elevated blood levels of MTBR-tau243 distinguished between individuals with mild cognitive impairment due to 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 disease and those experiencing full-blown dementia, thus confirming its utility as both a diagnostic and a staging tool.
Unlike previously available blood tests, which were primarily diagnostic, this novel test could also serve as a prognostic tool, opening avenues for personalised treatment strategies.
The technology and methodologies used in this study evolved from work that has been in progress for several years, wherein researchers have investigated the linking of tau levels in cerebrospinal fluid to tau tangles in the brain.
Building on this foundation, the research team succeeded in developing techniques to analyse tau levels in peripheral blood, a major advancement considering that blood samples are significantly easier and less invasive to collect than cerebrospinal fluid, which requires a spinal tap.
In their investigation, the team tested blood samples from various cohorts, initially focusing on individuals with cognitive decline, including 108 volunteers from Washington University鈥檚 Charles F and Joanne Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Centre and 55 participants from the Swedish BioFINDER-2 cohort.
Utilising an independent dataset of 739 additional individuals helped further validate their findings.
The analysis concluded that the blood concentration of MTBR-tau243 could accurately reflect the density of tau tangles in the brain, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 92 per cent.
This biomarker remained stable in cognitively healthy participants, indicating that MTBR-tau243 levels do not fluctuate until 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 symptoms are present.
Conversely, among those suffering from cognitive impairments attributed to 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚, the protein levels exhibited significant elevation, providing a clear differentiation from individuals with cognitive issues stemming from other conditions.
The implications of these findings extend beyond immediate diagnostics and staging. They could revolutionise the treatment landscape for 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 disease by integrating an array of therapeutic options that are reflective of the disease state.
As researchers work tirelessly on developing novel tau-targeting medications, the MTBR-tau243 blood test could play an integral role in identifying the best therapeutic approaches suited for each stage of the disease.
Personalised treatment regimens are also on the horizon, supported by this significant development in blood testing technology. With the Food and Drug Authority approving therapies targeting amyloid beta, ongoing research suggests that upcoming treatments may include those focusing on tau pathology.
Once a standardised blood test for 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 staging becomes available, healthcare providers would be empowered to devise tailored treatment plans aimed at addressing patients鈥� unique disease trajectories effectively.
As reported by Randall J Bateman, co-senior author of the study, the ability to more readily identify distinct aspects of 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 pathology and apply this knowledge to clinical practice may greatly enhance patient care.
The promise of SAT tests, such as those measuring MTBR-tau243, not only simplifies the complexities of diagnosis but could also refine the strategies employed by medical professionals treating 础濒锄丑别颈尘别谤鈥檚 disease.
