NEW Alzheimer's test 90% accurate

A new study shows that a simple blood test can outperform traditional exams when it comes to determining whether Alzheimer’s is responsible for memory problems, accurately diagnosing the disease about 90 percent of the time.

Compare that with dementia specialists who successfully identified Alzheimer’s 73 percent of the time, while primary care doctors did so with a 61 percent rate, according to the study of 1,213 patients in Sweden that was published Sunday on JAMA, the journal published by the American Medical Association, and presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on the same day in Philadelphia.

The encouraging findings come amid larger efforts to develop a cheap, simple blood test that can quickly diagnose patients with Alzheimer’s without forcing people to undergo more expensive and invasive exams, such as spinal taps. Although blood tests are already used in clinics, they are often not covered by insurance, costing hundreds of dollars or more.

[zachlewis]

Spinal tap and spinal fluid are such a nauseating idea

[disneybunny]

Getting spinal fluid drawn SUCKS. I cant imagine how much it hurt when you're older.

[TheSuperion]

Spinal Fluid?! *AOT flashbacks intensifies*

[UMMrealLoud]

My mom was JUSSST reaching the aggressive phase when she finally got the spinal tap, she'd been sick for years but rapidly declined. After the test they're supposed to lay flat for several hours to keep the fluid from draining out their back, and she just could not keep calm. The nurse gave up and left me to her, I tried blocking the door and that was the only time my mom was ever violent with me. It wasn't her, she was scared and confused, but did I get punched in the face 3 times? Yes. Because they don't understand what's happening and have gut reactions which aren't always logical. It's so traumatic for them and their loved ones.

[killzolot]

Thankfully there are monoclonal antibody treatments that have shown good results in slowing the progression, but much work is needed to stop it

[keawoodw]

I wouldnt wish a spinal tap on anyone. Probably the worst medical experience ive had where i wasnt sedated

[RaccoonRecluse]

Also, if you are a woman, the likelihood of a doctor accurately diagnosing you with Alzheimer's early on is nonexistent unless lucky.

[janesays]

A PET Scan isn’t an invasive procedure, but I’m cautiously optimistic about the blood test. You didn’t share anything about how it works, and the majority of Alzheimer’s treatments don’t do much, so I guess I’ll stay informed but skeptical that this actually works.

[Respectable_Username]

Things that have brought me joy in the last minute:
1) Finding out about this new alzheimers test
2) That amazing tshirt with the three of y'all on in!

[lklobs]

You know what's worse than *saying* spinal tap? *Getting one.*

[uotojxd]

Doctor: I’m afraid you have dementia
Patient: I don’t remember asking

[oz]

We should demand it be administered to all presidential candidates and Supreme Court justices immediately, to be administered by an impartial panel of experts 😅

[normalchannel]

I’ve had a general anaesthesia injection in my spine once

I’ve also had my blood drained

I NEVER want to know what both those combined will feel like

[Claudia]

When will it be available to the public? An aunt recently got diagnosed and would love to try it

[cactusbuds]

Thank god, I'm so glad, my mother’s been having a hard time with her memory recently. Hopefully we can have her do that test instead

[Kifford]

I had a stroke in my 20s because of a blod clot. I came away better than most but my risk of alzeimers or dementia is significantly higher. Same with anyone thats had some sort of brain or head injury. Wrestlers, football players, construction workers, people would fell a bit odd and smacked their head, etc.

[alexandragrace]

Yes, it’s been around for quite some time, and it can be used for measuring severity of CTE, also.

[jorgesalas]

My spine literally shivered at the thought of fluid getting drained 😩

[lavalampsucculent]

I don't know how I feel about this, I mean... wait what was I talking about again?

[alenaadler]

I can think of somebody they ought to give that test to.