Is Alzheimer’s Testing Appropriate for You?

It is estimated that Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia, will significantly rise in the coming years. While there is no cure, there have been strides made in both diagnostic tools and medications. 

One of those advancements is an Alzheimer’s blood test that was recently approved in May by the FDA to help aid in a diagnosis. The test, from Fujirebio Diagnostics, looks for abnormal levels of amyloid and tau proteins in the blood. These accumulations that occur in the brain are referred to as plaque, and are hallmark signs of Alzheimer’s.  Experts say the blood test’s prediction of the disease has an approximately 90 percent accuracy rate.  

The other good news is the new test is less invasive as well as less costly than previous tests used to diagnose patients with Alzheimer’s such as PET scans and spinal taps. It also helps to rule out other reasons for a person’s cognitive decline. With FDA approval, experts say the new test will be commonly used in symptomatic patients. 

The test is currently approved for people with symptoms of cognitive impairment aged 55 years and older. As we know the medications used to treat Alzheimer’s work best in the early stages of the disease but do have significant side effects, a patient would not want to take them before ruling out other causes of memory impairment. Moreover, although Alzheimer’s starts in a person’s brain years earlier than symptoms appear, the new test is not currently approved for healthy people who would like to rule out a later diagnosis or those that are simply curious.

At MorningStar Memory Care at Bear Creek, we offer a holistic approach to assisted living for the utmost comfort, safety and well-being of the individual. Once a family decides to entrust the care of their loved one to MorningStar, dementia care we create a Personalized Service Plan to provide the care, people, programs, and activities they need. Residents receive healthy, specially prepared meals along with daily health monitoring, 24/7 care from well-trained staff, access to licensed nurses and other third-party service providers. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care in Colorado Springs.