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Last Posted: Mar 21, 2024
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Early dementia diagnosis: blood proteins reveal at-risk people The results of a large-scale screening study could be used to develop blood tests to diagnose diseases such as Alzheimer’s before symptoms take hold.
M Naddaf, Nature, February 13, 2024

From the article: "An analysis of around 1,500 blood proteins has identified biomarkers that can be used to predict the risk of developing dementia up to 15 years before diagnosis. The findings are a step towards a tool that scientists have been in search of for decades: blood tests that can detect Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia at a very early, pre-symptomatic stage. Researchers screened blood samples from more than 50,000 healthy adults in the UK Biobank, 1,417 of whom developed dementia in a 14-year period." They found that high blood levels of four proteins — GFAP, NEFL, GDF15 and LTBP2 — were strongly associated with dementia. "

Direct to Consumer Biomarker Testing for Alzheimer Disease—Are We Ready for the Insurance Consequences?
JJ Arias et al, JAMA Neurology, December 18, 2023

From the article: "The promise of DTC testing for AD biomarkers may be lauded by advocates pushing for earlier diagnoses and individuals’ right to know. Early diagnosis of AD through DTC or clinical evaluations could provide benefits, including increased monitoring and preventive care. Additionally, DTC tests could reduce barriers that impede a timely diagnosis (eg, access to dementia specialists). However, DTC tests are not without hazard, particularly given gaps in discriminatory protections for individuals at risk of developing AD with known biomarker status. "

Attitudes toward pre-symptomatic screening for Alzheimer’s dementia in five European countries: a comparison of family members of people with Alzheimer’s dementia versus non-family members
IA Angelidou et al, Frontiers Genetics, December 2023

From the abstract: " Pre-symptomatic screening is getting more attention in healthcare as it detects the risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is very useful for treatment or prevention. AD screening could play an important role in individuals with at least one affected first-degree relative, but also without family history. As the demand for screening is rising worldwide, it is important to consider possible cross-cultural differences in attitudes toward pre-symptomatic screening."

Down Syndrome in a New Era for Alzheimer Disease.
Michael S Rafii et al. JAMA 2023 11

From the paper: "Despite the ultra-high risk for Alzheimer disease and its effect of a shortened life expectancy, persons with Down syndrome who are experiencing Alzheimer disease–related cognitive decline have limited access to expert clinical evaluation for dementia, let alone these newly approved therapeutics. At the same time, because of the genetic basis for lifelong amyloid accumulation, there are also significant concerns related to cerebral amyloid angiopathy and the risk of adverse events related to amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA). This requires careful assessment of safety and tolerability in individuals with Down syndrome to be done before these drugs can be widely prescribed in this vulnerable population. "

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Disclaimer: Articles listed in the Public Health Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base are selected by the CDC Office of Public Health Genomics to provide current awareness of the literature and news. Inclusion in the update does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the update, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.

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