Has a blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease finally been discovered?

Will it be possible to obtain an accurate diagnosis for Alzheimer's instead of the laborious and complicated diagnosis patients receive now?

Keep in mind many experts don't believe you can get a complete Alzheimer's diagnosis, even with a testing team which may include a neurologist, neuropsychologist, geriatrician as well as the patient's personal doctor.

That's why the news is good that researchers at Stanford University are developing  a possible new test which shows promise in early clinical trials. 

 This test seeks traits which are in the Alzheimer's  patient's blood and not in a person who isn't suffering from the condition.   Currently, there are 18 different chemical signals found in Alzheimer's blood samples.   This gives doctors a much needed  gage which may be the first real breakthrough for getting a faster and more accurate diagnosis of the debilitating condition.

Experts are pointing out there is still a great deal  to be learned and tested before the new blood test can be brought to doctors' offices. However, it has even been used to help diagnose possibly Alzheimer's's and other conditions of dementia in stored blood samples of people who were later diagnosed with the conditions by means of  conventional testing.

Since it is estimated 4.5 million Americans now have Alzheimer's and those numbers will most likely climb as the elderly population increases the blood test for Alzheimer's will be welcomed.

What about people who don't want an Alzheimer's diagnosis?

Many people do want to know so they can prepare for their own care ahead of time.  This gives patients comfort and the feeling of empowerment which they so desperately need at the later stage in their lives.

When will the test be available?

It's still years away because clinical trials must be continued until it is a proven diagnostic tool, but the hope for success is defiantly there . 

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