Blood-Based Biomarkers
With the availability of anti-amyloid therapies, accurate diagnosis and staging of Alzheimer’s disease becomes ever more important, as does the need to monitor response to treatment. Faster, less expensive, and more accessible blood-based biomarkers, a long-standing goal for the medical research community, are now on the horizon. Dr. Steven E. Arnold, Massachusetts General Hospital, explains why accuracy and reliability of results are key criteria for their widespread use, and the importance of the health care provider in interpreting test results and giving them context. Looking into the future, Dr. Arnold suggests that the greatest promise of blood-based biomarkers may be in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, through early detection before symptoms appear. He also outlines ongoing efforts to identify and understand markers of other disease mechanisms such as inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular injury, and nutrient levels.