Question 167 of 433
Is there a blood test for Alzheimer’s?
The short answer
Yes. Three have been cleared by the FDA since 2025. They are meant for people who already have memory symptoms, not for screening healthy people.
These tests measure a protein called p-tau in the blood, which rises when Alzheimer’s changes are present in the brain. They can spare many patients a spinal tap or a costly PET scan. One is designed for primary care offices to help rule Alzheimer’s out.
I do not recommend them for people without symptoms. A positive result in a healthy person does not tell you whether or when symptoms will come, and for now there is no approved treatment to give at that stage.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
DIAGNOSTIC VALIDATION / REGULATORY — Symptomatic eligible adults: selected blood tests support diagnosis; healthy screening benefit unproven.Evidence grade (draft mapping)RRegulatory statusPart 12, Q167 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.