Innovative Blood Test Promises Improved Early Detection of Alzheimer's in Underrepresented Groups

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has revealed that blood-based biomarkers could significantly enhance early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, especially among Hispanic and Latino populations. This research is a crucial step toward creating accessible, cost-effective, and less-invasive screening methods compared to traditional tools.

The study, examining over 5,700 Hispanic and Latino adults aged 50 to 86, identified correlations between self-reported cognitive decline and specific blood biomarkers. Notably, increased levels of nerve injury markers like NfL and brain inflammation markers such as GFAP were associated with participants’ perceptions of declining cognitive functions, including thinking, planning, and memory. Interestingly, concentrations of amyloid-beta proteins, commonly linked with Alzheimer’s in the brain, did not show a significant connection to subjective cognitive decline.

This research reflects the growing potential of blood tests in neurodegenerative disease detection, pointing toward earlier and more scalable diagnosis options. Dr. Freddie Márquez, a postdoctoral scholar involved in the study, emphasized that these biomarkers could serve as accessible tools particularly vital for underserved populations.

The findings also underscore the importance of diversity in Alzheimer's research. By focusing on Latino communities, the study sheds light on how social and biological factors influence disease risk and progression, making the results highly relevant for real-world applications.

Though promising, researchers caution that further studies are necessary to validate blood biomarkers for widespread clinical use. Current blood tests, like the FDA-approved Lumipulse G pTau217/Aβ42 test, are costly and limited to specialized environments. Nonetheless, the study’s insights pave the way for more inclusive, early detection strategies that could transform how Alzheimer's is diagnosed and managed in the future.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-blood-early-alzheimer-underrepresented-populations.html