Latest news with #Alzheimer'sDiseaseFactsandFigures
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alzheimer's Association Statement on First Blood Test Used in Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease Cleared for Use by FDA
CHICAGO, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the first blood test to aid in diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The test detects amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, through a blood draw, making it less invasive than other more commonly used diagnostic tools. "Today marks another important step in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis," said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead. "For too long Americans have struggled to get a simple and accurate diagnosis; with today's action by the FDA we are hopeful it will be easier for more individuals to receive an accurate diagnosis earlier." While there is no single, stand-alone test to diagnose Alzheimer's disease today — including this newly approved test — blood testing can be an important piece of the diagnostic process. Currently, physicians primarily use other, more well-established diagnostic tools combined with medical history, neurological exams, cognitive and functional assessments, brain imaging, spinal fluid analysis — and, increasingly, blood tests — to make an accurate diagnosis and to understand which patients are eligible for approved treatments. According to the FDA, "the Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio is for the early detection of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease in adult patients, aged 55 years and older, exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease." There are a variety of laboratory-developed tests on the market that can be used to detect blood-based biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's. This is the first that has been cleared by the FDA for use. For many years, blood tests have been used in clinical trials. Increasingly, they are being used by specialists in clinical settings, often as a first pass detection tool followed by additional testing. "Blood-based biomarkers are reshaping how we identify and understand Alzheimer's disease," continued Carrillo. "At the same time, there are important questions for health care professionals to consider; in particular, who should be tested and when." The Alzheimer's Association is leading the development of clinical practice guidelines for the use of blood biomarker tests in specialty care settings, which will be debuted this summer at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), July 27-31 in Toronto and online. The first iteration of the clinical practice guidelines will provide evidence-based recommendations for specialists to help guide them through the decision-making process around who should be tested and when. In the meantime, the Association urges providers to refer to the 2022 appropriate use recommendations for blood tests in clinical practice and trial settings. The 2025 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures special report found that nearly 4 in 5 Americans would want to know if they had Alzheimer's disease before it impacted their lives. Specifically, 91% of Americans say they would want to take a simple test — such as a blood biomarker test — if it were available. Access to early treatment and care is the main reason cited for wanting a simple test. "This interest in early diagnosis and treatment highlights how important it is that we keep advancing toward diagnostic testing that is simple to administer and widely available," Carrillo said. This is the latest step toward better diagnosis and eventual treatment of Alzheimer's disease made possible by historic investment in Alzheimer's and dementia research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Alzheimer's Association and other private entities. As a result of this increased investment, scientists have been able to work at a more rapid pace to advance basic disease knowledge, identify ways to reduce risk, uncover new biomarkers for early diagnosis and drug targeting, and develop disease-modifying treatments. About the Alzheimer's AssociationThe Alzheimer's Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia®. Visit or call 800.272.3900. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Alzheimer's Association
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alzheimer's rates have reached staggering number as experts call for change
Alzheimer's disease now affects more than seven million people in the U.S., and nearly four in five Americans say they would want to know if they have it before symptoms emerge. This data comes from the Alzheimer's Association's annual report, titled "Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures." "For a long time, it was like, 'Oh, I wouldn't want to find out.' And so knowing that people can do more now is making a difference in the stigma," said Dr. Elizabeth Edgerly, senior director for Community Programs and Services for the Alzheimer's Association, in an interview with Fox News Digital. Exercise Can Prevent Cognitive Decline Even When Energy Lags, Researchers Discover Edgerly was referring to the advancement of technology that allows for early Alzheimer's detection, making testing more accessible than ever. Traditionally, pre-symptom Alzheimer's testing has involved costly, invasive methods like PET scans and spinal taps. Read On The Fox News App And when it comes to senior health, it can be difficult to determine the level of urgency in potential red flags, according to Edgerly. "People struggle to try to figure out: Is that normal aging, or something we should get checked out?" Another obstacle is that testing can take a very long time. "That process can take months or even years to get to the point where someone has a definitive diagnosis," Edgerly said. The introduction of a new blood test — one that can predict the likelihood of Alzheimer's developing in a person before symptoms begin — makes the process a lot less daunting, the expert noted. "It's much more common, more affordable, more accessible." Retirement Could Be Bad For Your Health, Says Wellness Expert: 'Powered By Purpose' The growing desire for transparency could also be related to the sharp rise in caregiving costs and the labor of caregiving itself. The national cost of caring for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias is projected to reach $384 billion in 2025 — up $24 billion from just a year ago, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Nearly 12 million family members and friends provide 19.2 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at an additional $413 billion. "Anyone who has cared for someone or has close friends who have been affected ... it's hard to not want to change that," said Edgerly, whose own mother suffered from a form of dementia. 'I'm A Neurologist — Here's Why Dementia Is Rising And How To Reduce Your Risk' Three in five people surveyed said they would accept a moderate or even high risk level from taking medication to slow the disease's progression. While much research is still needed into the disease's progression, Edgerly said people can take steps to potentially reduce their risk. "Eating a diet that's rich in fruits and vegetables — the Mediterranean diet is probably the one most people know — exercising, handling things like high blood pressure … all of that appears to make a positive difference," she told Fox News Digital. For more Health articles, visit With over 140 treatment options in the works, Edgerly said Americans may feel more optimistic than ever about the reality of Alzheimer's, even as risk grows amid an aging population. "We're also seeing that there is a higher recognition of Alzheimer's," the expert noted. "For a long time — and still — many people don't get diagnosed. But those numbers are changing." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "We're trying to get to the place where cancer is today — more openness, support and survivorship."Original article source: Alzheimer's rates have reached staggering number as experts call for change
Fox News
29-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Alzheimer's rates have reached staggering number as experts call for change
Alzheimer's disease now affects more than seven million people in the U.S., and nearly four in five Americans say they would want to know if they have it before symptoms emerge. This data comes from the Alzheimer's Association's annual report, titled "Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures." "For a long time, it was like, 'Oh, I wouldn't want to find out.' And so knowing that people can do more now is making a difference in the stigma," said Dr. Elizabeth Edgerly, senior director for Community Programs and Services for the Alzheimer's Association, in an interview with Fox News Digital. Edgerly was referring to the advancement of technology that allows for early Alzheimer's detection, making testing more accessible than ever. Traditionally, pre-symptom Alzheimer's testing has involved costly, invasive methods like PET scans and spinal taps. And when it comes to senior health, it can be difficult to determine the level of urgency in potential red flags, according to Edgerly. "We're trying to get to the place where cancer is today — more openness, support and survivorship." "People struggle to try to figure out: Is that normal aging, or something we should get checked out?" Another obstacle is that testing can take a very long time. "That process can take months or even years to get to the point where someone has a definitive diagnosis," Edgerly said. The introduction of a new blood test — one that can predict the likelihood of Alzheimer's developing in a person before symptoms begin — makes the process a lot less daunting, the expert noted. "It's much more common, more affordable, more accessible." The growing desire for transparency could also be related to the sharp rise in caregiving costs and the labor of caregiving itself. The national cost of caring for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias is projected to reach $384 billion in 2025 — up $24 billion from just a year ago, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Nearly 12 million family members and friends provide 19.2 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at an additional $413 billion. "Anyone who has cared for someone or has close friends who have been affected ... it's hard to not want to change that," said Edgerly, whose own mother suffered from a form of dementia. Three in five people surveyed said they would accept a moderate or even high risk level from taking medication to slow the disease's progression. While much research is still needed into the disease's progression, Edgerly said people can take steps to potentially reduce their risk. "Eating a diet that's rich in fruits and vegetables — the Mediterranean diet is probably the one most people know — exercising, handling things like high blood pressure … all of that appears to make a positive difference," she told Fox News Digital. For more Health articles, visit With over 140 treatment options in the works, Edgerly said Americans may feel more optimistic than ever about the reality of Alzheimer's, even as risk grows amid an aging population. "We're also seeing that there is a higher recognition of Alzheimer's," the expert noted. "For a long time — and still — many people don't get diagnosed. But those numbers are changing." "We're trying to get to the place where cancer is today — more openness, support and survivorship."
