The Alzheimer's Association appropriate use recommendations for blood...

Paper

Abstract

Blood-based markers (BBMs) have recently shown promise to revolutionize the diagnostic and prognostic work-up of Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as to improve the design of interventional trials. Here we discuss in detail further research needed to be performed before widespread use of BBMs. We already now recommend use of BBMs as (pre-)screeners to identify individuals likely to have AD pathological changes for inclusion in trials evaluating disease-modifying therapies, provided the AD status is confirmed with positron emission tomography (PET) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing. We also encourage studying longitudinal BBM changes in ongoing as well as future interventional trials. However, BBMs should not yet be used as primary endpoints in pivotal trials. Further, we recommend to cautiously start using BBMs in specialized memory clinics as part of the diagnostic work-up of patients with cognitive symptoms and the results should be confirmed whenever possible with CSF or PET. Additional data are needed before use of BBMs as stand-alone diagnostic AD markers, or before considering use in primary care.

Analysis

Paper intelligence

Summary

This paper outlines recommendations for the use of blood-based biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting their role in screening for clinical trials and in specialized memory clinics, while emphasizing the need for further research before widespread standalone diagnostic use.

Key findings

BBMs can be used as pre-screeners for AD trials.
BBMs can be cautiously used in memory clinics with confirmation.
Longitudinal BBM studies are encouraged in trials.
BBMs are not ready for primary endpoints or primary care use.

Methods

Review of current research and expert consensus on blood-based markers for Alzheimer's disease.
Formulation of appropriate use recommendations based on available evidence and clinical utility.

Limitations

BBMs require confirmation with PET or CSF for definitive AD diagnosis.
BBMs are not yet recommended as primary endpoints in pivotal trials.
Further data are needed before BBMs can be used as stand-alone diagnostic markers or in primary care.

Applications

Screening individuals for inclusion in clinical trials for disease-modifying therapies.
Part of the diagnostic work-up in specialized memory clinics.
Monitoring longitudinal changes in interventional trials.

Confidence90%

Discovery

Related papers

2026arXiv

Quantitative Assessment of Hemispheric Asymmetry in Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Brains via QSM-Derived Biomarkers: A Proof of Concept Study

Sadad Hasan; Prantik Paul; Maruf Ahmed

Oct 1, 2026

2026Crossref0 citations

Inflammasomes: central mediators of neuroinflammatory neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

Clémence Tropis; Janna Jernigan Posey; Malú Gámez Tansey; Michael T. Heneka

Sep 5, 2026Molecular Neurodegeneration

2026Crossref0 citations

Investigation of Serum Neurofilament Light Chain as a Surrogate for Cerebrospinal Fluid Neurofilament Light Chain in Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

Chih-Ching Wu; Wei-Hsiang Huang; Ya-Pei Chang

Aug 25, 2026Animals

2026Crossref0 citations

Advancing a systems-level understanding of neurodegeneration: the BrightFocus Alzheimer’s disease research portfolio

Sharyn L. Rossi; Diane E. Bovenkamp

Aug 21, 2026Molecular Neurodegeneration

2026PubMed

Identification of MRI-Derived Structural Biomarkers in Female Alzheimer's Disease Subjects Using CAT12 and Mimics: Effects of Voxel Geometry on Biomarker Estimation.

Thakur DN; Goswami T

Jan 1, 2026Life (Basel, Switzerland)

2026PubMed

Elevation in Plasma p-tau217 Concentrations Among Blood Donors: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study.

Li X; Zhang W; Wang R; Tint H; Fu S; Quan Q; Liang F; Tint C; Yuan X; Liang Y; Jiang Y; Cao W; Dong Y; Zhao Y; Saroukani S; Zhang Y; McCullough L; Eltzschig HK; Turan A; Sessler DI; Karikari TK; Xie Z

Jan 1, 2026medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences

Source record

Publication metadata

Authors: Oskar Hansson; Rebecca M. Edelmayer; Adam L. Boxer; María C. Carrillo; Michelle M. Mielke; Gil D. Rabinovici; Stephen Salloway; Reisa A. Sperling; Henrik Zetterberg; Charlotte E. Teunissen
Published: Jul 31, 2022
Journal or venue: Alzheimer s & Dementia
DOI: 10.1002/alz.12756
Paper type: journal article
Source: Openalex

DOI OpenAlex