Resources

While there is no single, stand-alone test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease today, including this newly approved test, blood testing can be an important piece of the diagnostic process. Currently, physicians primarily use other, more well-established diagnostic tools combined with medical history, neurological exams, cognitive and functional assessments, brain imaging, spinal fluid analysis and, increasingly, blood tests to make an accurate diagnosis and to understand which patients are eligible for approved treatments. 

There are a variety of laboratory-developed tests on the market that can be used to detect blood-based biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s. This is the first that has been cleared by the FDA for use. For many years, blood tests have been used in clinical trials. Increasingly, they are being used by specialists in clinical settings, often as a first pass detection tool followed by additional testing.

 Navigating the U.S.’s federal and state health insurance program, Medicaid, to cover dementia-related long-term care can feel overwhelming, especially as the program differs widely from state to state. Medicaid planning expert Michael Guerrero helps families understand eligibility, apply for benefits, and plan ahead for care. 

 A decade ago, families confronting an Alzheimer’s diagnosis had little more than memory-boosting pills aimed at lessening symptoms but they didn’t halt disease progression. Today, the conversation has shifted from if we can slow the disease to how early we can start. With two disease-modifying antibodies now on the market in the U.S. 

 Alzheimer's is an evolving field of study. 

To keep up with the most recent and credible scientific findings, check out Being Patient's free guides on the science, research, prevention, and caregiving for the disease.

  Learn from experts:

• The characteristics and challenges of advanced dementia
• How to build a trusted care team and appoint a health care proxy
• Strategies for prioritizing care goals and making medical decisions
• The roles of palliative and hospice care