Finger-prick test could screen for early Alzheimer’s

Press/Media: Expert Comment

Description

Developed by Australian researchers, the first-of-its-kind handheld device is aimed at GPs and can detect disease markers in blood within minutes.

Subject

Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Dementia

Period28 Aug 2024

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleFinger-prick test could screen for early Alzheimer’s
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletNewsGP
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date28/08/24
    DescriptionDeveloped by Australian researchers, the first-of-its-kind handheld device is aimed at GPs and can detect disease markers in blood within minutes...
    But Professor Mark Morgan, Chair of RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care, warned that the technology must be validated to understand its predictive value.

    ‘The ability to easily and accurately identify pre-symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease is a key step to developing and testing interventions,’ he told newsGP.

    ‘It is important that this validation has impactful cognitive decline as an end point rather than a different biomarker.

    ‘Marketing of this new health technology must not be allowed to get ahead of the science of what it really reveals.’...
    Professor Morgan said a correct diagnosis ‘helps enormously’ in GPs being able to provide the correct advice to patients and their families.

    ‘Alongside advances in early diagnosis, it is very important for our health systems to improve the way we look after people with dementia,’ he said.

    ‘There is a need for society to collectively manage the consequences of earlier diagnosis with respect to accessing insurance, employment and driving ability.

    ‘There is a huge stigma and fear around the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease that needs to be addressed.’

    Producer/AuthorMichelle Wisbey
    URLhttps://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/finger-prick-test-could-screen-for-early-alzheimer?utm_source=racgpnewsgpnewsletter&utm_campaign=newsgpedm&utm_medium=email
    PersonsMark Morgan