FDA clears blood test to aid evaluation for Alzheimer's disease

brandonb

This Alzheimer's blood test, PrecivityAD2, is based on the p-tau217 biomarker. In one recent study, people very high p-tau217 had a 38% chance of progressing to cognitive impairment within 5 years vs 12% for those with low levels. The current tests cost about $200-300, so they're not unreasonable as a screening test. PrecivityAD2 looks to be priced around $1,400-$1,500 so at that price, this specific test likely only makes sense for people with established disease.

hn_submit

These tests are more or less useless because there's no treatment anyway so knowing about it a long time in advance will not lead to any substantial gain. Even slowing the disease isn't within the realm of today's technology. Today's pharmaceutical companies are close to quacks as far as Alzheimer is concerned. We know next to nothing about its origins or even how the disease progresses. The only thing you gain is giving people more time to worry and despair.

willmadden

Why is the FDA "clearing" something that is completely innocuous like a blood test?

debo_

I work directly in this field (clinically validated digital cognitive tests that characterize cognition, often paired with p-tau blood tests.) Ask me anything, I guess!