Advancing Hope: Blood Test for Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease Approved by FDA

Text: Advancing Hope: Blood Test for Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease Approved by FDA | Background: A scientist examines blood samples in a piece of lab equipment.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the marketing of a blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. The test, known as the Lumipulse® G pTau 217/β-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio immunoassay, is intended only for specialized care settings when a person shows signs of cognitive decline. Test Measures Ratio of Alzheimer’s-Related Proteins Along with…

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British Study Evaluates Ability of Novel Protein Assay to Capture Blood-Based Dementia Biomarkers

Text: British Study Evaluates Ability of Novel Protein Assay to Capture Blood-Based Dementia Biomarkers | Background: A scientist looks at a sample using a microscope.

A study published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia evaluates the ability of a novel protein assay to detect and analyze blood-based biomarkers of dementias, including FTD. Blood Biomarkers as a Path for Early, Accurate Diagnosis Clinically usable biomarkers are essential to early and accurate diagnosis, especially as potentially disease-modifying FTD treatments progress through clinical…

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Former U.S. Rep. Wexton, Living with PSP, Featured in “Brain & Life” Magazine 

Photograph of former Rep. Jennifer Wexton

Jennifer Wexton, a former member of Congress who stepped down after revealing her progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) diagnosis, was featured on the cover of the April/May issue of Brain & Life magazine, the official publication of the American Academy of Neurology.   The article highlights her use of a device that “speaks” with an artificial intelligence–generated…

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Dear HelpLine: The GUIDE Model and FTD

Text: Dear HelpLine - The GUIDE Model and FTD | Background: A female clinician discusses something with her female patient and her husband.

Dear HelpLine, My neurologist’s office recently told me about something called GUIDE, for people with dementia. I’m wondering if this program could help with FTD. Where can I learn more?  GUIDE, which stands for Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, is a new model of dementia care for Medicare beneficiaries. Programs under the GUIDE model provide…

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Genetic FTD Advocate Linde Jacobs Profiled in CBS Minnesota Segment

Linde Jacobs, a Minnesota nurse who has devoted herself to genetic-FTD advocacy after learning that she and her sisters share the same MAPT mutation that caused her mother’s FTD, was profiled by the CBS affiliate in Minneapolis on June 2. At just 50, Jacobs’ mother Allison began displaying some of the hallmark symptoms of behavioral…

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