US EditionBlood Test Could Predict when Alzheimer’s Symptoms Will Begin
Researchers at Washington University created models using plasma p-tau217 levels to predict Alzheimer's symptom onset within 3-4 years, aiding early intervention and trials.
- On Feb. 19, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis developed a single blood test measuring plasma p‑tau217 that estimates Alzheimer’s symptom onset within about three to four years.
- Because amyloid and tau accumulate years before symptoms, the team aimed to enable earlier prediction so patients considering preventive care can access treatment and clinical trial designers can speed trials.
- Using data from 3 older adults, the researchers measured plasma p‑tau217 on PrecivityAD2 and other FDA‑cleared tests, sharing their clock models as public code and a web app.
- Petersen said `These clock models could make clinical trials more efficient by identifying individuals who are likely to develop symptoms within a certain period of time`, but tests are not recommended for people without symptoms outside research or trials.
- In contrast, the research intersects with funding and care costs, affecting over 7 million Americans and nearly $400 billion in 2025, with symptom onset about 20 years after age 60 p‑tau217 rise and 11 years after age 80.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Blood Test Can Predict Start of Alzheimer's Symptoms — Down to the Year
New research shows a simple blood test can predict the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms, leading to earlier therapeutic careStock image of an elderly woman in a wheelchair. GettyNEED TO KNOWA new blood test can predict the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms within three to four yearsInstead of testing for beta-amyloid — which requires PET scans — researchers can measure a protein in the plasma, called p-tau217, according to findings published in the jou…
Blood test could predict when Alzheimer’s symptoms will begin
A new study conducted by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis researchers found that a single blood test could predict when someone is likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published last week in Nature Medicine, determined that a test to find the level of p-tau217 protein in an individual’s plasma can be…
Blood test could predict when Alzheimer’s symptoms will start years in advance
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A simple blood test could predict not only a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but also the year symptoms will begin. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis set out to determine if levels of a specific protein in the blood could be used as a “biological clock” to predict when signs of the disease will emerge. The specific protein, known as p-tau217, form…
Simple blood test can forecast Alzheimer’s years before memory loss
Scientists have created a blood test that can estimate when Alzheimer’s symptoms are likely to begin. By measuring a protein called p-tau217, the model predicts symptom onset within roughly three to four years. The protein mirrors the silent buildup of amyloid and tau in the brain long before memory loss appears. This advance could speed up preventive drug trials and eventually guide personalized care.
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