Simple finger-prick blood test could make early detection of Alzheimer’s disease more accessible
There are indications that a simple finger-prick blood test could, in the future, detect Alzheimer’s disease long before the first clinical symptoms become apparent. This is shown by research conducted by the European PREDICTOM consortium, in which UZ Brussels and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) are partners. This approach could offer a more accessible and less burdensome alternative to the current, complex diagnostic methods.
The research is part of the PREDICTOM study, funded by the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU). Within this study, researchers are investigating whether biomarkers such as p-Tau217 can be reliably measured using a simple finger-prick blood sample. P-Tau217 is a protein known to increase during the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Initial results are promising when compared with existing, internationally recognised diagnostic methods. This finger-prick approach therefore goes beyond the current blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease that are now entering clinical practice.
Diagnosis still complex today
Today, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease often relies on invasive and highly specialised procedures, such as cerebrospinal fluid analysis, medical imaging and extensive cognitive testing. These procedures are not only burdensome for patients but also limit the widespread use of early diagnostic screening. While new blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease offer a partial solution, the finger-prick blood test represents a further step forward.
In the longer term, finger-prick blood tests could lead to a major shift in how early detection is organised. Because the test is simple and could potentially be performed outside the hospital setting, this approach could significantly improve accessibility, particularly for people with limited mobility or those living far from specialised care. In addition, the method is low-threshold and repeatable, which could support long-term monitoring over time.
“This research shows that it may become possible in the future to detect Alzheimer’s disease much earlier in the disease process using a simple finger-prick blood test,” says Prof. Dr Sebastiaan Engelborghs, Head of the Department of Neurology at UZ Brussels, Chair of the NEUR research group at VUB and one of the principal investigators within the PREDICTOM consortium. “Early detection is essential to guide patients in a timely manner and to introduce new treatments at the right moment, before clear symptoms appear.”
Further research needed
Although the finger-prick blood test is not yet ready for use in routine clinical practice, the preliminary research results indicate clear potential. The current study will run until 2027. In the future, the method could not only contribute to earlier detection, but also to broader and more inclusive participation in clinical research on neurodegenerative diseases.
About PREDICTOM
PREDICTOM is a European research consortium with more than twenty partners from academic institutions, hospitals, clinical research networks and industry. The consortium focuses on the development of scalable and cost-effective methods for the early and accurate identification of the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, as a basis for targeted prevention and intervention.
More information: https://www.predictom.eu/
