LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) – The Food and Drug Administration has opened the door to cut costs and pain for those who suspect they have Alzheimer’s Dementia.
The FDA has approved the first blood test to be used in the diagnostic process for Alzheimer’s which affects more than 75,000 Oklahomans.
It’s a neurodegenerative disease where protein buildup gradually damages brain cells, which affects memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities.
Meggie Gaskins, Director of Communications for the Alzheimer’s Association, Oklahoma Chapter says this is a major milestone as currently there are many steps and a high price tag to getting a diagnosis.
“Right now, the options would be, you know, go through the physical example,” Gaskins said. “And they’re taking the cognitive It would be a lumbar puncture or a spinal tap, which is pretty invasive, or a PET scan, looking for the presence of amyloid plaque in the brain, and that is extensive, it is expensive.”
Gaskins says the blood test isn’t a stand-alone diagnosis. She says when used it makes the diagnosis more accurate. She says In the clinical study a positive diagnosis ran 91 percent accurate while those who came up negative were 97 percent diagnostic accurate.
“When you’re experiencing cognitive differences when you’re experiencing these challenges, you want an accurate diagnosis, you want to know, what’s happening in your body, Gaskins said. “And we also know that when it’s used as part of the diagnostic process and now there’s a valuation, the diagnosis from the doctor is It’s significantly more accurate as well.”
Gaskins says the exciting part about the blood test, is the accessibility. She says this is something that you can get at a lab or in your doctor’s office.
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