First Consumer-Initiated Alzheimer's Disease Blood Test Launched

Consumers have recently expressed a desire to take a more proactive approach to Alzheimer's disease (AD) screening and a willingness to explore earlier diagnoses.

To meet that new trend, Quest Diagnostics today announced the availability of the AD-Detect™ Test for AD, the first blood test available for consumer purchase that helps assess the potential risk of developing AD based on a brain protein that contributes to the condition.

Quest's AD-Detect is a screening test that uses plasma, the liquid component of blood, from a single blood draw to evaluate levels of amyloid beta proteins to help detect early signs associated with the risk of developing AD.

Amyloid beta proteins are known to accumulate and form plaques in the brain, which are linked to the progression of Alzheimer's disease. AD-Detect evaluates the ratio of two peptides of amyloid beta, Aβ42, and Aβ40, in plasma.

"We are seeing much attention on emerging therapies for Alzheimer's disease, but with new treatment options will come the need to make screening and diagnosis more widely available. Blood tests like AD-Detect hold incredible potential to make Alzheimer's disease risk assessment both accessible and convenient," said Michael K. Racke, M.D., Medical Director of Neurology, Quest Diagnostics, in a press release on July 31, 2023.

The new consumer-initiated test utilizes the same expertise and technology as Quest's clinical AD-Detect Amyloid Beta 42/40 Ratio test, an analytically validated blood test that aids in assessing the risk of AD, which the company launched for physician ordering in early 2022.

As of August 1, 2023, there are no Alzheimer's disease vaccines available in the U.S.