New blood tests are showing promise in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. But with the possibility of false-positive results, more studies are needed.
Jessica Langbaum is the senior director of Research Strategy at Banner Alzheimer's Institute. Her team is seeking volunteers, between the ages of 50 and 80, for an Alzheimer’s blood draw study.
"So, we really want to start to understand what are some of the drivers that might cause this false test result. Is it a poor night's sleep? Maybe it's what you ate or drank the night before, things of that nature. "
Participants will need to provide 10 blood samples over the course of nine consecutive weeks. The study will measure a particular biomarker that increases in the blood when amyloid protein builds up in the brain. Amyloid is linked to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
Participants will have to travel to Banner Alzheimer’s in Phoenix or Tucson during the study period. Once the study is wrapped up, volunteers will have the option to receive their test results.
Participants must be:
- 50 to 80 years old
- Able and willing to provide informed consent
- Have mild or no memory loss or thinking problems
- Able and willing to fully comply with study procedures and attend study visits
- Speak and write in English
For more information, contact the study team at [email protected] or 602-839-6500.
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