An Alzheimer’s association working group is proposing new diagnostic criteria that would allow Alzheimer’s diagnosis based solely on biomarkers like amyloid detected in blood tests, even without symptoms.
This would mean someone with amyloid plaques shown on a blood test could be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease while still appearing cognitively normal.
Studies show 10-23% of healthy older adults may test positive for amyloid depending on age, but most would never develop dementia.
The criteria jump the gun and could lead to overdiagnosis, according to some experts, as the impact of amyloid alone is still unclear.
Asymptomatic people diagnosed may be prescribed expensive and potentially dangerous Alzheimer’s drugs with uncertain benefits.
About 1/3 of working group members have disclosed industry ties, raising conflicts of interest concerns around rushing criteria changes.
Skeptics warn the new criteria could terrify many people and enable discrimination if diagnosed before symptoms emerge.
Source: nytimes
