Should Alzheimer’s be diagnosed with a blood test? Proposal sparks controversy

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03629-2

By Max Kozlov

The proposal to use blood tests and brain scans for diagnosing Alzheimer’s is sparking debate in the medical community. Supporters believe early detection through biomarkers like amyloid and tau proteins could lead to timely treatments before symptoms arise. However, critics warn that diagnosing individuals without cognitive symptoms could cause unnecessary anxiety, especially when many may never develop the disease. The new guidelines suggest using these biomarker tests alongside traditional clinical evaluations but highlight the need for careful communication of risks. With treatments still limited for asymptomatic patients, there are concerns about the psychological impact of an early diagnosis without effective interventions.