U.S. health officials have endorsed the first blood test that can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.
The Food and Drug Administration cleared the test for patients 55 and older who are showing early signs of the disease. Dr. JiaXi Dong is a geriatrician in the city of Maricopa.
"It basically allows, well, formally recognizes the use of this test in diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. In reality, it's more for, you know, opens up the possibility for insurance to provide coverage," Dong said.
The test identifies amyloid, a key marker for Alzheimer’s. But the blood test isn’t 100%.
"So, after you get a positive reading on this test, we would still recommend getting either invasive lumbar puncture testing or a PET scan," Dong said.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s latest Facts and Figures report, nearly four in five Americans would want to know if they had the disease before it impacted their lives.
Still, Dong says there’s a lot to consider before getting this test.
"What's the next step? What do you want to do about it? Yeah, and also the financial implications, such as the costs of the test itself. Does it affect your insurance next year … while not a full diagnosis, you do have the risk factors now, right? That’s something the insurance would know," Dong said.
The tests can only be ordered by a doctor.
