Amyloid is a bundle of discarded proteins that when accumulated in the brain may lead to Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia. Up until now, the presence of amyloid in the brain was positively identified only by brain biopsy (very impractical) or by detection of amyloid in spinal fluid obtained by spinal tap or by PET scan of the brain (both of which have side effects and are expensive).
Hence, a simple blood test is akin to a breakthrough. The main purpose of trying to detect amyloid is either to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease to allow for a future life planning or to confirm Alzheimer’s disease so that two new drugs, Leqembi and Kisunla, which slow its progression may be prescribed. These two new drugs are extremely expensive, associated with severe side effects and mostly effective in early-stage patients, so their use should not be taken lightly.
The new blood test is similar to the spinal fluid test in that it measures the ratio of brain amyloid to another protein named tau. It is intended for use in adults 50 and over showing memory decline or early dementia symptoms, a major one being inability to make new memories. The blood test itself should not be used alone to diagnose Alzheimer’s as it has both false positives and false negative results. It is best used along with other tests such as neuropsychiatric testing or PET brain scanning.
In summary, it is not useful for the curious patient or the worried well, but it’s best used in those patients with early symptoms, a strong family history of Alzheimer’s or those with what’s known as the apoE4 genotype. A little do-it-yourself test is that if you think you have Alzheimer’s (i.e. you can’t remember where you put your car keys) you probably don’t have it. If your family has noticed changes in your behavior, you are probably a victim.
Dr. Charlie Barnett is a contributor at KnoxTNToday for a weekly column, DocTalk, providing his expertise on health and wellness management.
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I don’t even have the words to explain what I felt when I read this article. The love that my family has for this man is immeasurable. He was our family doctor for years. Everyone in my immediate family saw him. Dr. Charlie was the doctor that started with us on our journey with my dad’s early onset Alzheimer’s (frontotemporal dementia).
I had to take a double take on the article when I opened it to read because it was only fitting for me that he has developed this blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s. This made me smile with pride because of my love and respect for this man, but it also made me sad because I remember why he’s doing this.
My dad was exhibiting some forgetfulness, mood changes, and issues with basic math. This was not like my dad as he was excellent in math. This man wrote 3 inch sanitation manuals for processing plants, so not being able to do simple math was the final straw. My dad finally agreed to see Dr. Charlie. Dr. Charlie assured me many times during a telephone conversation after my dad’s appointment, and my concerns about his symptoms matching dementia, that wasn’t likely at all. Due to having no family history of early onset, he was worried it was a brain tumor.
But that wasn’t the case. Seems Web Md was accurate after all. When Dr. Charlie got his MRI results and called me the Friday before Memorial Day to tell me it was dementia, I could here the emotion in his voice as he choked up. I could hear the sorrow in his voice and that he didn’t want to, nor should he, place that burden on me to tell my dad. But he was as heartbroken and shocked at that moment as I was. People will criticize and pass judgment because general opinion is that’s his job to give bad news. Yes, for any other doctor.
Dr. Charlie wasn’t just my dad’s doctor, and we weren’t just patients, he was like family. He was like having a doctor, a therapist, a comedian, and that one friend that is really blunt and honest all rolled into one. I have never held anything other than love for this man. I know his heart was breaking and had it been anyone else, he probably would have never tossed that ball into my court. But we weren’t just anyone else to Dr. Charlie and this wasn’t just any diagnosis being delivered.
I can say that as horrible of a diagnosis it was and watching my parents world come crashing down that day, I will forever be grateful for Dr. Charlie. The Dr. Charlie’s of the world are rare, so if you have a doctor like Dr. Charlie consider yourself blessed. The world needs more Dr. Charlie’s.