Submitted by Dr. Joanna Jung, Associate Editor
In the November 2024 podcast from Clinical Chemistry, Bob Barrett hosts the panel of experts on biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. The podcast highlights the potential of blood-based biomarkers to revolutionize Alzheimer’s diagnosis and care, emphasizing equity, accessibility, and integration into healthcare systems. Blood-based biomarkers offer potential for broader clinical use and could answer previously unresolved questions about Alzheimer’s disease.
The podcast explores what laboratorians and clinicians need to know about these biomarkers, their transition from research to clinical practice, and their potential impact on patient management. Blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease are emerging as complementary tools to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing and imaging like PET scans. These biomarkers offer a less invasive, more accessible, scalable, and cost-effective alternative, particularly in regions with limited healthcare resources. Currently, blood-based biomarkers are recommended for symptomatic individuals with cognitive impairment rather than population-wide screening due to challenges like standardization and other risks. They are valuable in confirming Alzheimer’s pathology, stratifying patients for further testing, and determining eligibility for emerging therapies.
Guests also discuss emerging interest in multi-marker panels as diagnostic algorithms in Alzheimer’s disease. These panels could provide a more comprehensive understanding of Alzheimer’s pathology, help reduce false positives and negatives, and enable more effective tracking of the disease across different stages. To learn more about the exciting advancements in the field of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers head to Clinical Chemistry podcast: Alzheimer disease blood-based biomarkers: Translation from research into clinical use.