Blood-Based Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease in Primary Care: A Before and After Study

Recent breakthroughs in new blood tests that allow us to detect dementia pathology in the blood suggests that these blood biomarkers may be able to revolutionise the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and will be more widely available and less expensive in clinical practice than current methods. By making early detection more accessible, accurate and less invasive, biomarkers such as amyloid-beta (Aβ), tau proteins, and neurofilament light (NfL) can now be detected in blood tests, offering a promising alternative to traditional methods like spinal taps and PET scans, which are often costly and uncomfortable for patients.

It is critical to determine how doctors may benefit from the availability of such tests in their practice, and whether it influences a doctor’s diagnostic confidence and management. The Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) has conducted a management impact study of AD blood tests in memory clinics and is currently implementing the Blood-Based Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease in Primary Care research project in Melbourne, Adelaide and Newcastle.

This project will assist ADNeT to examine the level of understanding and attitudes to the diagnosis of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in general practice, and to the use of blood-based biomarkers for improving diagnosis and management of early stage AD or MCI. Early detection through biomarkers enables patients to begin treatments sooner, potentially slowing disease progression. A new diagnostic blood test – Plasma pTau217- has been shown to have 92% accuracy in detecting AD, a substantial improvement over the current 70% accuracy, even when diagnosed by a specialist.

This is a promising development for researchers, GPs and patients and has received significant media attention. If you are interested in finding out more, you can refer to:

This study is led by GP specialists with an interest in dementia.

If you are a GP in Melbourne (North-Eastern region), Adelaide or Newcastle and would like to participate in this study please email one of our Research Assistants at  adnet-bbb@unimelb.edu.au.

Attention to one of the following:
Aaron Clark, Adelaide
Khryza Co, Melbourne
Kate Lofting, Newcastle

This study has been approved by the Austin Health HREC Reference Number HREC/105966/Austin-2024.
Version 3. Dated: 18July2024

ADNeT Publications on Blood-based Biomarkers:

Detection and staging of Alzheimer’s disease by plasma pTau217 on a high throughput platform
eBioMedicine, November 2024

Plasma p217+tau vs NAV4694 amyloid and MK6240 tau PET across the Alzheimer continuum.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia, DADM 2022

Two-year prognostic utility of plasma p217+tau across the Alzheimer’s continuum.
J Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, 2023

Alzheimer’s Disease biological PET staging using plasma p217+tau.
Communications Medicine, 2024 under review

Head‐to‐head comparison of plasma biomarkers across the AD continuum in an Australian population
Alzheimer’s Association,  June 2023

Plasma biomarkers in chronic single moderate-severe traumatic brain injury
Brain- Oxford Academic, November 2024