Blood Biomarker and Genetic Test May Help Predict Timing of Cognitive Impairment

A new study published in The Lancet Neurology suggests that combining a blood-based Alzheimer’s disease biomarker with genetic information may help identify not only who is at greater risk for cognitive impairment, but also when symptoms may emerge.

Led by first author Yuexuan Xu, PhD, with co-senior authors Badri Vardarajan, PhD, and Richard Mayeux, MD, MSc, Chair of the Department of Neurology, the study analyzed data from more than 8,500 participants across seven prospective cohorts. The researchers found that combining plasma p-tau217 levels with APOE genotype provided a clearer picture of future cognitive risk, with higher p-tau217 levels associated with greater risk of cognitive impairment, particularly among people carrying the APOEε4 variant.

“The combination of the tests really makes a difference in predictive power. And the projections are the same for everyone regardless of their background,” says Dr. Mayeux. “What this will allow us to do is make better predictions about the onset of symptoms in people at risk, and when preventative drugs become available, prescribe those at the right time.”

Read more about the study and its implications in the CUIMC Newsroom.