While neurologists and primary care doctors have been diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease for years their accuracy rates aren’t as high as the medical community and general public would like. Now, though, that may be changing. A new blood test is showing a 90% accuracy rate for diagnosing this condition, compared to the 73% rate for neurologists and 61% rate for primary doctors.

Having a more accurate diagnostic tool can make a significant difference in the quality and type of care for Alzheimer’s patients. The blood test looks at plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217) and the amyloid 42/40 ratio, both of which are specific biomarkers in Alzheimer’s. When both measures are studied in combination they create what’s called the amyloid probability score, and that helps medical professionals predict the likelihood of Alzheimer’s.

Levels of p-tau217 are notably higher in people with this condition, and these tests in the past have been up to 96% accurate in identifying beta-amyloid levels and 97% accurate in the identification of tau. Both tau tangles and beta-amyloid are believed to be direct markers that can indicate the presence of Alzheimer’s disease. The new blood tests in the study were validated by doing spinal taps, as these and PET scans are the current standards for Alzheimer’s identification.

Both of these standard tests are invasive and expensive, so having a blood test that can accurately detect the disease would be a ground-breaking addition to the medical profession. Right now, most doctors use cognitive assessments and similar tests to diagnose Alzheimer’s, but that leads to frequent misdiagnoses and can mean that patients don’t get the help and support they need to manage their condition, especially in the early stages.

Alzheimer’s has similar symptoms to vascular dementia, conditions like depression, and even vitamin B12 deficiency, so getting an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment options are very important. The new blood test isn’t ready to be used in primary care just yet, as more research is needed, but the day is getting closer when Alzheimer’s patients will be able to get a more accurate diagnosis faster and more efficiently, to help improve the quality of their care.

From an estate planning standpoint, it makes sense to plan for all types of eventualities – including becoming mentally incapacitated by Alzheimer’s or dementia. Planning ahead by creating a health care directive, power of attorney, and a living Trust allows you to exercise some control over an uncertain future. Contact us today to learn more!