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FDA Approves First Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Lumipulse test offers a less invasive, cost-effective alternative for detecting amyloid plaques in symptomatic adults 55 and older.

The new test may help reduce reliance on positron emission tomography or PET scans, a type of brain imaging that can be expensive.
This illustration made available by the National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health depicts cells in an Alzheimer’s affected brain, with abnormal levels of the beta-amyloid protein clumping together to form plaques.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 12: A phlebotomist draws blood for a COVID-19 antibody test at a mobile test site being run by Roseland Community Hospital on December 12, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. The seven-day positivity rate in Illinois has been slowly receding but currently stands at 10.8%. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The Lumipulse G pTau217/β-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio test is the first FDA-cleared blood test for Alzheimer’s diagnosis, targeting adults with cognitive decline.
  • It measures key protein biomarkers in blood plasma to detect amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, with 91.7% positive and 97.3% negative agreement in clinical studies.
  • The test is intended for use in specialized clinical settings and not for general population screening or standalone diagnosis.
  • This development could expand access to amyloid-targeting drugs like Leqembi and Kisunla by simplifying the diagnostic process.
  • Fujirebio Diagnostics, the test’s developer, utilizes its widely available Lumipulse system, enabling faster and more scalable Alzheimer’s screening.